Tracheal tumor resection and reconstruction

Abstract

We examined 5 patients with tracheal tumors who underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction at our institution between 2014 and 2022. The surgical approach was median sternotomy in 1 patient, median sternotomy with collar-shaped incision in 3 patients, and posterolateral thoracotomy in 1 patient. Four patients required surgery with assistance of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). The operative time and amount of bleeding were greater in patients with than without VV ECMO support. There were no abnormal anastomotic findings on postoperative bronchoscopy in any of the patients. After the surgery, postoperative complications, such as recurrent nerve paralysis and pneumonia, were noted in 2 patients. Histological findings were adenoid cystic carcinoma in 3 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 1 patient, and MALT lymphoma in 1 patient. There was no pathological residual tumor at the tracheal margin in 4 patients. Two patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy. The median postoperative observation period was 35.2 months, and there was no recurrence in 4 patients.