[Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction by Grillo's technic for postintubation stenosis].
BACKGROUND
Tracheal resection and reconstruction is the standard treatment for postintubation stenosis. However, when the stenosis extends proximally to the subglottic larynx surgical treatment is particularly difficult. Specific surgical techniques have to be used in order to preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerves. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results obtained at our Department with laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction with the Grillo technique for postintubation stenosis.


METHODS
From January 1984 to December 1997, 83 patients with tracheal and laryngotracheal lesions underwent surgical treatment. Eighteen patients had postintubation stenosis of the upper trachea and subglottic larynx and underwent single-stage laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction. Mean stenosis length was 3.5 cm (range 3-5 cm). Twelve patients underwent anterolateral laryngotracheal reconstruction, and 6 patients had a circumferential laryngotracheal reconstruction. A Montgomery suprahyoid laryngeal release was required in 4 cases.


RESULTS
There was no surgical mortality. Surgical results were excellent or good in 17 cases and satisfactory in one case. No recurrence of stenosis has been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Cricoid cartilage involvement in postintubation stenosis should not be considered a contraindication to surgical treatment. However, laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction is technically difficult and should be performed only in selected cases.
Zannini
P
P
Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, Divisione di Chirurgia Toracica, Milano.
Melloni
G
G
Carretta
A
A
Ciriaco
P
P
Canneto
B
B
Puglisi
A
A
Grossi
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*