title: CO₂ laser treatment of tracheal stenosis.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Delivery of a carbon dioxide laser is an effective method and can be used in selected cases of tracheal stenosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present retrospective experience in tracheal stenosis of 16 patients treated by bronchoscopic delivery of carbon dioxide laser, considering the characteristics of the treated stenosis, surgical procedures performed, and post-operative outcomes and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  All demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Chest and neck computed tomography scans were performed to assess the stenosis, including length, location, and glottic involvement. The stenotic area was evaluated endoscopically according to an adapted Meyer and Cotton grading scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aetiology of the tracheal stenosis was intubation-related in 14 cases, and idiopathic in two cases. The duration of intubation ranged between 1 hour to 26 days. According to the Myers-Cotton classification, mean stage of stenosis for the study group was 3.3 ± 0.5. Mean length of the stenosis was 23.75 ± 6.95 (range = 15-40) mm. Mean follow-up for the study group was 23.81 ± 7.11 (range = 12-38) months. Postoperative decannulation was achieved in 13 patients (81.3%), and decannulation was not achieved in three patients (18.7%).
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozkul
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Songu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdulkadir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imre
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duzgun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ates
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Secil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arslanoglu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital , Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kazim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Tracheal stenosis; carbon dioxide; laser