Surgical Treatment of Patients With Stenosis of the Central Airway due to Tracheal Tumours

Abstract

This study retrospectively evaluated bronchoscopic and surgical treatments for patients with central airway stenosis due to tracheal tumours. Seven patients treated by resection and reconstruction of the trachea for tracheal tumours between 1994 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The most common histological finding was thyroid carcinoma (n = 3), followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 2), a metastatic thyroid tumour (n = 1), and a benign granular cell tumour (n = 1). Three of the patients required preoperative laser treatment (Nd:YAG) for recanalization. Five patients underwent end-to-end anastomosis for reconstruction. There was no postoperative mortality or morbidity such as anastomotic insufficiency of the reconstructed trachea. Three patients with a microscopic residual tumour required postoperative external radiotherapy. Surgical resection of malignant tracheal tumours is recommended not only for curative purposes, but also for reduction of the risk of smothering.