Two Cases of T-tube Tracheal Stent for Subglottic Stenosis

Abstract

Tracheostomy is frequently indicated in subglottic stenosis. However, patients with tracheostomy have a poor quality of life because of dysphonia. We reported treatment with T-tube tracheal stent for the patients of subglottic stenosis, which could improve the quality of life for the patients. The first patient was a 55-year-old women who had tracheal injury due to attempted suicide. She had injuries from the thyroid cartilage to the second tracheal cartilage. Surgical suture was made and then a T-tube stent was inserted to maintain the subglottic airway. The T-tube was removed 6 months later and no stenosis occurred. The second patient was a 63-year-old man who had had a coronary bypass operation. He suffered disturbance of expectoration and underwent sputum suction through crico-thyroid ligament for 8 days. He complained of dyspnea one month after operation, which was due to subglottic granulation. Tracheostomy was performed followed by T-tube insertion. He had good quality of life and could eat and speak without any problem 8 months after T-tube insertion. The distance of stenosis was measured exactly and then the T-tube was placed just under vocal cord to avoid adhesion. We concluded that the T-tube is useful for the management of subglottic stenosis and can provide good quality of life.