Anaesthesia for tracheal resection: report of 17 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Laryngo-tracheal stenosis remains a major complication after prolonged intubation or tracheostomy. Surgical resection with end-to-end anastomosis carries the best long term prognosis. For the anaesthetist, however, this procedure represents a most challenging situation.


METHODS
Since 1993, we have used high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) for tracheal resection. This paper describes the technique and the results of our series including 7 adults and 10 children.


RESULTS
There were no adverse haemodynamic or ventilatory consequences due to HFJV. Oxygenation was well maintained during the HFJV period. Sixteen of the 17 patients had a good outcome. Despite the good result of the resection-anastomosis, one child still suffers from an associated posterior glottic stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the introduction of HFJV for surgery of tracheal stenosis in our institution no complication of this ventilatory technique has occurred. It reduces the manipulation of the ventilation system and the period of apnea, thus decreasing the risk of hypoxaemia. The good access to the surgical field contributes to the success of resection-anastomoses in laryngo-tracheal stenosis.
Magnusson
L
L
Department of Anaesthesiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lang
F J
FJ
Monnier
P
P
Ravussin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000758:Anesthesia; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006611:High-Frequency Jet Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery
D010100:Oxygen