[Tracheal resections].
BACKGROUND
Tracheal resection is a valuable treatment option in patients with primary localized tumours and in selected patients with post-tracheostomy stenosis. The main symptom is dyspnoea on activity. Tracheal tumour is a rare condition with adenoid cystic carcinoma as the dominant malignant type, whereas papilloma is the most common benign lesion.


METHODS
In our institution we performed eight tracheal operations from 1989 to 2002. Five patients had malignant tumours and three post-tracheostomy stenosis. The patients were reevaluated with endoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Four patients with carcinomas underwent tracheal resection and direct anastomosis. One patient had postoperative irradiation due to carcinoma cells in the resection margin and died five years later. In one patient local infiltration outside the tracheal wall rendered him inoperable. Two of the three patients with benign stenoses had recidivations and underwent endoscopic dilatation and stenting. Patients with localized malignant tumours and selected patients with benign tracheal stenoses may benefit from tracheal resection. Tracheal stenosis is an important differential diagnosis in patients with airway obstruction that does not respond to pharmacological treatment.
Baksaas
Svein Tore
ST
Thoraxkirurgisk avdeling, Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo. svein.tore.baksaas@rikshospitalet.no
Geiran
Odd Ragnar
OR
Rostad
Hans Anton
HA
Svennevig
Jan Ludvig
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects