1. Successful tracheal necrosis management using a pedicle pectoralis flap: A case report
- Author
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Mohammad Amin Borjian, Anahita Borjian, Mehdi Abbasi Sahebi, Shahab Rafieian, and Negar Eftekhar
- Subjects
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Necrosis ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Thyroidectomy ,Case Report ,Signs and symptoms ,Anastomosis ,medicine.disease ,Mediastinitis ,Bronchoscopies ,Surgery ,Thyroid carcinoma ,medicine ,medicine.symptom ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Pectoralis Muscle ,business - Abstract
Thyroidectomy is considered an overall low-risk procedure. However, severe life-threatening complications, including tracheal necrosis may occur postoperatively. A 45-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic for papillary thyroid carcinoma surgery. The patient had mediastinitis signs and symptoms seven days after total thyroidectomy. Subsequent imaging demonstrated air leak and with mediastinitis as the primary diagnosis, and the patient underwent reoperation. During the operation, four necrotic tracheal rings were found to be the source of air leak. Due to tissue inflammation and infection, neither primary repair with tracheal resection and anastomosis, nor strap muscle plugging procedure were feasible. Therefore, a pedicle flap derived from the right pectoralis major muscle was transferred to the necrotic trachea. The patient’s clinical condition improved after the operation and subsequent bronchoscopies confirmed healing of trachea. During six-month follow-up, no complications were observed. In conclusion, the technique discussed in the current report shows promising outcomes for reconstructing large tracheal defects in inflammatory conditions where primary repair techniques are not suitable.
- Published
- 2020