title: Bronchoscopic electrocautery for palliation of post-anastomotic tracheal stricture in a patient with complete tracheal transection following blunt chest trauma.
abstract: There are many strategies available to treat palliation of airway obstruction due to benign or malignant conditions. The initial choice depends on the urgency of the situation, the extent of the disease process as assessed bronchoscopically, as well as the individual experience and preference of the physician. We present a rare case of complete tracheal transection following a traffic accident. Respiratory distress, which resulted from post-anastomotic tracheal stricture, developed progressively about 2 months after surgical repair. Symptomatic relief and improved ventilatory function were achieved in this patient once patency of the trachea was restored successfully using bronchoscopic electrocautery. The technique is a straightforward, safe, and quick method to palliate airway obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Hsiu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hung-I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: An-Shen
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Meng-Chih
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery*