title: [Segmental tracheal resection for the treatment of tracheal stenoses].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Segmental tracheal resection is considered to be the standard treatment of tracheal stenoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the time period 1985-2002, segmental tracheal resection with a primary end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 117 patients with a cervical or upper thoracal stenosis of the trachea. The age distribution of the patients was between 7 and 77 years. Of the patients with a benign tracheal stenosis, sufficient data for a retrospective analysis were available in 101 patients. The length of the resected tracheal segments varied between 2 and 6 cm which required mobilisation of the trachea and the larynx and, if necessary, incision of the pulmonary ligament.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5 patients a permanent damage of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was seen, of which 4 had undergone revision surgery and 10 months after surgery 93% presented with a large and stable tracheal lumen without any relevant restenosis. Due to a restenosis of 70-80% causing dyspnea at rest, 3% of the 101 patients had to undergo revision surgery. In 4% a mild and asymptomatic restenosis of 30-40% was seen which did not require any further treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that segmental tracheal resection can safely and effectively remove stenotic tracheal segments of up to 6 cm and is therefore the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Klinik mit Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Universität, 91054, Erlangen.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weidenbecher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weidenbecher
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome