title: Does successful segmental tracheal resection require releasing maneuvers?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tracheal resection is a well-established option for the management of airway stenosis. Releasing maneuvers have been described to reduce anastomotic tension. The aim of this study is to report on a series of tracheal resections performed without the use of these maneuvers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients undergoing tracheal resection by the first author over a 6-year period were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients (n = 17; 7 men and 10 women, ages 23-76) were managed with tracheal resection and anastomosis without stenting or postoperative tracheotomy. 16/17 (94%) patients had successful treatment of their stenosis. 1/17 (6%) failed and 1/17 (6%) required dilation. There was no postoperative swallowing dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Segmental tracheal resection without releasing maneuvers was successful in 16/17 (94%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though extrapolation from this series may be limited, future practitioners may consider forgoing additional releasing maneuvers for tracheal resection in many cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laryngology, Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, 53226, USA. amerati@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Albert L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Merati
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rieder
authors.forename: Nalin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Girod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome