Clinical outcome of laryngotracheal separation for intractable aspiration pneumonia.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm that laryngotracheal separation (LTS) is a satisfactory treatment for patients with intractable aspiration pneumonia, even though it does not require tracheoesophageal anastomosis.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Nine patients with intractable aspiration pneumonia underwent LTS at our institution from 1996 to 1999. Two patients underwent postoperative barium swallow radiography.


RESULTS
Neither halitosis nor stimulation of the cough reflex occurred due to pooled secretions in the blind pouch of the proximal tracheal segment. Barium swallow radiography confirmed that the secretions drained within 40 min by swallowing or a change in patient position.


CONCLUSIONS
LTS is a satisfactory solution to the problem of chronic aspiration. Neither pooled secretions in the proximal tracheal segment nor fistula formation were significant postoperative problems.
Yamana
T
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan. yamana@mtd.biglobe.ne.jp
Kitano
H
H
Hanamitsu
M
M
Kitajima
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D017609:Barium Compounds; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods
D017609:Barium Compounds