Posttraumatic Laryngotracheal Stenosis in 22 Patients

Objective To establish a surgical method to keep the airway lasting patent for those cases of posttraumatic laryngotracheal stenosis. Methods Twenty-two patients with posttraumatic laryngotracheal stenosis from 1985 to 1995 were summarized. This series consisted of laryngeal stenosis (18 cases), tracheal stenosis (2 cases), and laryngotracheal stenosis (2 cases).By using the approach of laryngotracheal fissure, the surgeons explored the injured airway lumen, relocated the fractured chondral fragments and loosened the scar tissues to rebuild a normal airway. An F-stent of silicone tube was indwelled within the lumen before closure. And it was kept in place for at least 6 months. Results All cases were decannulated and kept long-term airway patent in this series. Conclusions The authors believe that this surgical method is beneficial to some patients with posttraumatic laryngotracheal stenosis.