Percutaneous dilation of tracheal stenosis.
A high-grade complex tracheal stenosis distal to a tracheostomy tube occurred in a patient with a chronic vegetative state. The stenosis was easily and rapidly dilated at bedside using commercially available percutaneous tracheostomy kit dilators. Following tracheal dilation, a larger tracheostomy tube was inserted, resulting in the splinting of the stenotic area. To my knowledge, this is the first report of such a bedside technique for the dilation of a tracheal stenosis through a tracheostomy. This technique may provide a temporary relief from tracheal obstruction as long as the stenosis is within the reach of the dilator.
Susanto
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Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78284-7885, USA. Susanto@UTHSCSA.edu
D000328:Adult; D004106:Dilatation / Q000379:methods; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014139:Tracheostomy