title: Laryngotracheal augmentation using titanium mesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of laryngotracheal stenosis is still a serious surgical challenge. The fact that there are currently numerous reconstruction procedures indicates that there is at present no standard treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Titanium mesh was used instead of traditional homografts in reconstruction of the anterior laryngotracheal wall in 12 tracheostomised patients with benign chronic laryngotracheal stenosis. The anterior laryngotracheal wall was split, followed by excision of scar tissue and fixation of the titanium plate at the split end. A Silastic stent was inserted above the tracheostomy tube and fixed in place by running sutures fixed to the skin by buttons. The stent was removed endoscopically six weeks later and a trial of decannulation was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoscopically, good epithelisation was seen on the inner surface of the mesh in 10 cases and decannulation was possible. Four of these patients required endoscopic debulking of granulation tissue. Decannulation was impossible in two cases, one due to excessive granulation tissue and the other due to prolapse of the titanium mesh into the tracheal lumen (the mesh was removed endoscopically and a Montgomery T-tube inserted).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titanium mesh was found to be a good alternative for augmentation of the anterior laryngotracheal wall. It offered rigid support, with fewer of the complications reported with other grafts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alexandria, Egypt. gaafar_a@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gaafar
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: El-Daly
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gaafar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium