Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for the treatment of acquired laryngotracheal stenosis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, and to discuss the prevention of complication. Methods: The clinical outcomes of seventy patients with acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, treated with laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed between January 2007 and December 2016. The degree of stenosis was classified according to Myer-Cotton classification as follows: grade Ⅱ(n=7), grade Ⅲ(n=38) and grade Ⅳ(n=27). The stenostic extension ranged from 0.5-4.0 cm (median 2.0 cm), the resection extension ranged from 1.0-5.0 cm (median 3.0 cm). Fifty-three stenosis originated from iatrogenic (endotracheal tubes and/or tracheostomy), 17 originated from cervical trauma. Results: Thirty patients were treated by the resection of tracheal and primary anastomosis. Twenty-nine patients were treated by resection and reconstruction and supported by T-tube. Eleven patients with subglottic stenosis were treated by complete resection of tracheal lesion and the arch of cricoid cartilage, together with trachea and thyroid cartilage anastomosis with tracheotomy. Six months after surgery, the outcome was good to satisfactory in 65 patients (92.9%). Five patients failed(3 were tracheotomized and 2 were supported by T-tube). Complications included granulation tissue formation(n=15), anastomoticseparation(n=9), restenosis of anastomosis(n=9), wound infection(n=5) and subcutaneous emphysema(n=7). In 15 patients with granulation tissue, 10 patients needed endoscopic resection, and 5 patients resulted in anastomotic stenosis. No injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve was found. Three patients with trachoesophageal fistula were repaired. Conclusion: Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction is an effective surgical method for acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, which has a higher successful rate and shorter therapeutic period.