Indirect measurement of laryngeal and tracheal resistance.
We used a body plethysmograph to determine airway resistances in 485 cases of laryngeal and tracheal stenoses. 143 cases who had resistances exceeding 60 mm H2O/l.a.sec underwent surgery. A vocal cord was laterally fixed in 49 patients suffering from bilateral recurrent paralysis. Optimal results were obtained at a postoperative resistance level of 30 mm H2O/l.a.sec (standard value: 14.77 +/- 6.53 - n - 387). The patients could carry out work of medium intensity and had a steady voice. We performed tracheal interventions in 94 cases of tracheal stenoses. A mean postoperative resistance of 29.9 mm HWO/l.a.sec, with a tracheal diameter of 7-8 mm was attained. In practice, only a few patients found the remaining obstruction a hindrance, during work of maximal intensity. No recurrences were observed after treatment. Airway resistance exceeding 150 mm H2O/l.a.sec were found in 13 new admissions and 73 times in those undergoing therapy. In these cases asphyxiation threatens. These patients must be tracheotomized or intubated immediatly.
D000403:Airway Resistance; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000503:physiopathology; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology