Postintubation tracheal stenosis: Surgical management

Abstract

Postintubation tracheal stenosis (PITS) is a known complication of endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. It is the most common indication for tracheal resection/reconstructive surgery. Despite technological improvement and skilled patient care in the ICU, PITS still constitutes an important group of iatrogenic sequela after intubation. With increasing number of patients requiring ICU admission and mechanical ventilation in Nigeria, it is important that this complication is prevented from occurring. The care of such patients often is technically challenging. The successful management by resection and end‑to‑end anastomosis of a 37‑year‑old man presenting with 2 cm length of severe tracheal stenosis of 4 mm luminal diameter following prolonged  endotracheal intubation and who had had repeated bronchial dilatation is presented.

Keywords: Postintubation tracheal stenosis, tracheal resection, tracheal stenosis