title: A proposed grading system for post-intubation tracheal stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tracheal stenosis is still a serious consequence of endotracheal intubation. Previous classification systems are commonly descriptive and are not intended to deal with management approach. The aim of this study was to present a classification system for post intubation tracheal stenosis and evaluate its efficacy in distinguishing critically ill patients who need surgical intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This classification system was developed based on size and type of stenosis and associated clinical signs and symptoms. Stenosis was graded based on the results of clinical examination and rigid bronchoscopy. All patients received surgical or conservative treatment based on the judgment of a surgeon experienced in management of post-intubation tracheal stenosis without considering their score. ROC curve analysis was done and cut-off point was established based on the greatest Youden index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients were studied. Resection and anastomosis were done for 49 patients. The mean score for all samples was 9.18 (range 8.77-9.45). Chosen cutoff point was 8.5 and calculated sensitivity and specificity were 89% and 42%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 83.7% and 54.5%, respectively. A reasonable agreement between the estimated score and surgeon's clinical judgment (kappa = 0.78) was observed. A statistically significant relationship was observed between scores greater than 8.5 and need for surgical intervention (P= 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We presented a scoring system for post-intubation and tracheostomy tracheal stenosis using main factors influencing diagnosis and treatment and its efficacy was evaluated prospectively. It seems that this system would be capable of assimilating the treatment interventions and comparing them.
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghorbani
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azizollah Abbasi
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dezfouli
authors.affiliation: Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Behgam
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Shadmehr
authors.affiliation: Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saviz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pejhan
authors.affiliation: Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Reza
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Saghebi
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Aba-Saad
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ghare-Daghi
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farzanegan
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nahid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jahanshahi
keywords: Classification system; Post-intubation stenosis; Tracheostomy