Abstract
The results and problems of tracheoplastic procedures for various tracheal diseases are reviewed.
Thirty patients underwent tracheoplasties in our department between 1957 and 1987. The tracheal lesions operated upon were thyroid cancer in 9 cases, primary tracheal tumor in 7 (adenoid cystic carcinoma 4, squamous cell carcinoma 2, chondrosarcoma 1), post-tracheostomy stenosis in 4, esophageal cancer in 3, traumatic rupture in 3, post-tuberculous stenosis in 2, post-radiation tracheal stenosis in 1, and congenital tacheal stenosis in 1. The tracheoplastic procedures performed were sleeve resection and end-to end anastomosis in 15 (50%), terminal tracheostomy in the anterior mediastinum in 6, suture closure of traumatic tracheal rupture in 3, patch closure or dilatation in 2, carinal reconstruction in 2, and other procedures in 2. These procedures were chosen according to the etiology, location and length of the lesions in each patient.
The post-operative death rate within 30 days after operation was 20%, many of these patients had extensive tracheal resections. The post-operative complication rates were also high, and the most common complications were anastomotic dehiscence and anastomotic stenosis.
At present, 14 patients are alive from one to 21 years after operation. The main cause of death was recurrence of malignant tumors.
