Tracheal release maneuvers.

Tracheal release procedures are specialized surgical techniques designed to permit low tension end-to-end primary reconstruction after tracheal sleeve resection. Therefore, an understanding of the principles and techniques of these tracheal release maneuvers is essential in order to perform tracheal surgery safely. The release procedures include dissection of the pretracheal plane, cervical flexion, and laryngeal and hilar release. Dissection of the pretracheal plane and cervical flexion are the most commonly employed techniques.