title: Montgomery T-tube insertion using a rigid bronchoscope under direct observation.
abstract: The Montgomery T-tube (T-tube) is an effective device for relieving tracheal stenosis when lesions are inappropriate for surgical reconstruction. Several techniques have been developed for the insertion of the T-tube in difficult conditions. The aim of this study was to present our experience using a rigid bronchoscope for T-tube insertion. A retrospective chart review of patients with tracheal stenosis who underwent T-tube insertion between April 2002 and July 2005 was conducted. Thirty-seven patients underwent 53 T-tube placements. Successful stent placement was achieved in all 37 patients. The T-tube was not tolerated in six patients because of granulation obstruction of the upper limb or sputum impaction. Thirty-one patients had good long-term results and enjoy adequate airway with the T-tube. There was no procedure-related mortality and there were no complications. Rigid bronchoscopic insertion of the T-tube for tracheal stenosis is a safe and an effective procedure. It ensures the correct placement of the T-tube when the technique described by Montgomery fails.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Hen
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yi-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ming-Ju
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Po-Jen
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Hui-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pyng J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D020680:Bronchoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*