Post intubation tracheal stenosis.

Although the etiology of post intubation tracheal stenosis has been well defined and methods for its prevention clarified, the lesions continue to occur and to be the most common indication for tracheal reconstruction. These lesions with specific characteristics at various levels--such as cuff and stomal--present with the signs and symptoms of airway obstruction. They are best handled in an emergency with systematic dilation. Under certain circumstances surgical repair is best deferred using repetitive dilations or intubation through an appropriately located stoma. Preferred management is surgical resection with primary reconstruction. Special techniques are necessary in cases in which larynx is also involved. With diagnostic precision and meticulous surgical technique, good or satisfactory results were obtained in nearly 94% of 503 surgically treated patients. Best results are obtained at an initial corrective operation performed by an experienced operator.