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Endoscopic approach with recanalization and stenting is one of the methods for cicatricial tracheal stenosis. Major complications may occur if service life of stents is not observed. However, there are currently no clear timing for stenting. In world practice, there are no indications on lifelong stenting for cicatricial tracheal stenosis. Restenosis is more common after stent removal and requires repeated stenting or another treatment. In case of prolonged stenting, silicone stent should be periodically replaced with a similar one due to destruction of silicone rubber. As a rule, this maneuver is necessary after 1-3 years. Currently, there is no information about maximum allowable duration of stent without replacement and possible complications. Condition of trachea after prolonged stenting is also unknown. We present long-term (27 years) tracheal stenting with a silicone stent. Stent fragmentation and dislocation throughout this period led to respiratory failure and emergency removal. Tracheal lumen was satisfactory immediately after procedure. However, restenosis appeared after 1.5 months and required endoscopic dilation with discussion of appropriate treatment option. However, the patient refused tracheal resection with anastomosis and underwent repeated stenting with similar stent and favorable immediate result.

Objective: To present modern aspects of improving surgical techniques in tracheal resection developed in recent years., Material and Methods: The authors have the most extensive experience in tracheal surgery (>2.000 patients over the past 50 years). Diagnostic capabilities, perioperative management and surgical techniques have changed over such a long period. This concerns the proposed classification of cicatricial tracheal stenosis, features of endoscopic and X-ray diagnostics, indications for various surgeries, choice of surgical approach, technique of tracheal tube mobilization and anastomosis after tracheal excision. Preventive measures for severe postoperative complications are described., Conclusion: Such an extensive experience allowed the authors to develop an algorithm for the treatment of patients with tracheal stenosis. This significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality. Replication of such equipment is associated with technical support of hospitals and professional level of specialists consisting of endoscopist, anesthesiologist, intensive care specialist and thoracic surgeon.

Modern approaches to intensive care and anesthesiology make it possible to save patients with various severe traumas. Prolonged mechanical ventilation allows stabilizing the patient's status, but can result severe complications including tracheoesophageal fistula. Our patient received severe combined injury after road accident, i.e. compression-comminuted fractures of DIV, DV, DVI vertebrae with spinal cord compression, ThIII compression fracture, compression-comminuted fracture of bodies and arches ThIV, V, VI with ThVI dislocation, lower paraplegia and pelvic organ dysfunction, left-sided laryngeal paresis, brain concussion and contusion of both lungs. Mechanical ventilation has been performed for 1.5 months. The patient suffered inflammatory complications: bilateral pneumonia complicated by right-sided pleural empyema, sepsis, tracheostomy suppuration followed by cervical soft tissue abscess. Pleural drainage and debridement, as well as drainage of abscess were performed. At the same time, we diagnosed external esophageal fistula at the CVII level. Tracheoesophageal fistula closure via cervical access was carried out at the first stage. Postoperative period was uneventful. After 20 days, we performed spondylosynthesis Th I -Th VII , and decompression laminectomy Th IV -Th VI . Spine stabilization by metal elements has a beneficial effect even without spinal cord recovery regarding better conditions for neurological and social rehabilitation. Thus, treatment was performed in a highly specialized multi-field hospital by thoracic surgeons and vertebrologists. We realized the treatment plan and obtained favorable results with minimal risk of postoperative complications.

Objective: To describe treatment of cicatricial tracheal stenosis and tracheoesophageal fistula in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia., Material and Methods: There were 91 patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis for the period from August 2020 to April 2022 (21 months). Of these, 32 (35.2%) patients had cicatricial tracheal stenosis, tracheoesophageal fistula and previous coronavirus infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Incidence of iatrogenic tracheal injury following ventilation for viral pneumonia in the pandemic increased by 5 times compared to pneumonia of other genesis. Majority of patients had pneumonia CT grade 4 (12 patients) and grade 3 (8 patients). Other ones had pulmonary parenchyma lesion grade 2-3 or mixed viral-bacterial pneumonia. Isolated tracheoesophageal fistula without severe cicatricial stenosis of trachea or esophagus was diagnosed in 4 patients. In other 2 patients, tracheal stenosis was combined with tracheoesophageal fistula. Eight (25%) patients had tracheostomy at the first admission. This rate was almost half that of patients treated for cicatricial tracheal stenosis in pre-pandemic period., Results: Respiratory distress syndrome occurred in 1-7 months after discharge from COVID hospital. All patients underwent surgery. In 7 patients, we preferred palliative treatment with dilation and stenting until complete rehabilitation. In 5 patients, stent was removed after 6-9 months and these ones underwent surgery. There were 3 tracheal resections with anastomosis, and 2 patients underwent tracheoplasty. Resection was performed in 3 patients due to impossible stenting. Postoperative course in these patients was standard and did not differ from that in patients without viral pneumonia. In case of tracheoesophageal fistula, palliative interventions rarely allowed isolation of trachea. Four patients underwent surgery through cervical approach. There were difficult surgeries in 2 patients with tracheoesophageal fistula and cicatricial tracheal stenosis. One of them underwent separation of fistula and tracheal resection via cervical approach at primary admission. In another patient with thoracic fistula, we initially attempted to insert occluder. However, open surgery was required later due to dislocation of device., Conclusion: Absolute number of patients with tracheal stenosis, tracheoesophageal fistula and previous COVID-19 has increased by several times compared to pre-pandemic period. This is due to greater number of patients requiring ventilation with risk of tracheal injury, non-compliance with preventive protocol for tracheal injury including anti-ischemic measures during mechanical ventilation. The last fact was exacerbated by involvement of allied physicians with insufficient experience of safe ventilation in the «red zone», immunodeficiency in these patients aggravating purulent-inflammatory process in tracheal wall. The number of patients with tracheostomy was 2 times less that was associated with peculiarity of mechanical ventilation in SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, tracheostomy was a poor prognostic sign and physicians tried to avoid this procedure. Incidence of tracheoesophageal fistula in these patients increased by 2 times compared to pre-pandemic period. In subacute period of COVID-associated pneumonia, palliative measures for cicatricial tracheal stenosis and tracheoesophageal fistula should be preferred. Radical treatment should be performed after 3-6 months. Absolute indication for circular tracheal resection with anastomosis is impossible tracheal stenting and ensuring safe breathing by endoscopic methods, as well as combination of cicatricial tracheal stenosis with tracheoesophageal fistula and resistant aspiration syndrome. Incidence of postoperative complications in patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis and previous mechanical ventilation for COVID-19 pneumonia and patients in pre-pandemic period is similar.

Tracheal and bronchial stenting is actively used for cancer and benign airway stenosis. This procedure is common in patients with advanced cancer. Stenting ensures breathing and availability of early chemo- and radiotherapy without the need for tracheostomy. This procedure is less common in patients with benign tracheal stenosis. In this case, isolated tracheal or bronchial stenting is performed. Complex tracheobronchial stenosis is extremely rare and creates significant difficulties. We present 3 cases of tracheobronchial stenting for cicatricial stenosis. In each case, stenosis was dilated with a rigid bronchoscope or balloon dilatation. Then, a silicone stent was installed. Resection with an appropriate anastomosis was contraindicated due to advanced pathological process. Thus stenting was regarded as a palliative operation. The follow-up periods were 9 months, 3 and 10 years. Each patient underwent inhalation therapy, endoscopy and repeated stenting if necessary.

Objective: To determine the main forms of primary tracheal cancer (PTC), to specify the indications for various surgeries in these patients depending on extent and localization of lesion., Material and Methods: There were 263 PTC patients. Benign tumors were diagnosed in 68 (25.9%) patients, malignancies - in 195 (74.1%) cases. Tracheal cancer includes 3 basic morphological variants - adenocystic cancer (49.7%), carcinoid (18.7%) and squamous cell carcinoma (19.0%). Other forms of malignancies were much less common. We applied endoscopic intraluminal and open surgeries. In malignant PTC, open surgeries were performed in 165 (84.6%) out of 195 patients. Baseline palliative endoscopic treatment was performed in 30 patients. They underwent airway recanalization (with subsequent tracheal stenting in 19 patients). Endoscopic resection was preferred for benign tumors., Results: Twenty (12.1%) patients died after open surgery, and 1 (3.3%) patient died after endoscopic procedure. Most lethal outcomes occurred in early years of development of tracheal surgery. The causes of mortality were tracheal anastomotic failure in 12 patients, pneumonia in 6 patients, and arterial bleeding in 2 patients. Severe postoperative period was observed in all 3 patients after tracheal replacement with a silicone prosthesis. Long-term treatment outcomes depended on morphological structure of PTC. Favorable results were observed in patients with neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid), worse outcomes in adenocystic cancer and unfavorable results in squamous cell carcinoma ( p <0.0013). Five-year survival rates were 75%, 65.6%, and 13.3%; 10-year survival rates were 75%, 56.2%, and 13.3%, respectively. These outcomes after combined treatment of primary tracheal cancer were significantly better compared to lung cancer ( p <0.05 when compared to global data)., Conclusion: Treatment of primary tracheal cancer should be based on classical principles of modern oncology (combined therapy, tumor resection with lymphadenectomy). Open and endoscopic interventions are justified. PTC is characterized by more favorable outcomes compared to lung cancer. It is difficult to analyze long-term results in tracheal cancer depending on various features of tumor process due to small number of observations. Accurate conclusions require multiple-center studies, preferably with international participation, which can convincingly prove certain concept.

Background: The study aimed to develop a method for sublingual administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid to patients and evaluate its effectiveness in fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic therapy of neoplasms of the oral cavity and larynx., Methods: The boundaries of the neoplasms were established by the video-fluorescence diagnostics and clarified using spectral-fluorescent diagnosis before and after photodynamic therapy., Results: The fluorescence diagnostics demonstrated a high accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, induced by sublingual administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid to patients before the photodynamic therapy and photobleaching of protoporphyrin IX in pathologically altered tissues after the photodynamic therapy. Glucose contained in the sublingual dose supports active transport of 5-ALA into the cells. It increases the PpIX accumulation in the cells, therefore improving the PD and PDT efficacy., Conclusion: The study and the initially obtained results demonstrated the possibility and effectiveness of laser-induced photodiagnostics and photodynamic therapy with sublingual administration of 5-ALA to patients with premalignant lesions of the oral cavity and larynx. It can eliminate the threat of the transformation of these diseases into malignant tumors and prevent the need for surgical treatment., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the tracheal elasticity and tracheal anastomosis tension for prevention of anastomosis-related complications and estimation of the maximum length of resection., Material and Methods: At the first stage, 20 patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis underwent tracheoscopy in usual position, under maximum flexion and extension of the head for the period from September 2017 to December 2019. We measured the total length of trachea and length of stenotic segment. Tracheal extensibility was assessed considering the difference in measurements. At the second stage, anastomosis tension was intraoperatively measured using a dynamometer in normal head position, as well as at maximum flexion in 22 patients who underwent tracheal resection. Unlike multiple other studies, we studied tissue tension intraoperatively., Results: Mean length of trachea was 12.8 cm, extensibility - 1.3 cm. Tracheal elasticity was greater in patients with a longer trachea and in patients under 40 years old. Mean length of resection was 3.9 cm (30% of mean length of trachea), anastomosis tension - 2.7 H or 270 g. Head flexion was followed by tension decrease by 0.7 H (26.9%), i.e. 70 g. This approach is less effective in case of resection of more than 30% of trachea length in a particular patient., Conclusion: Further experience in measurement of tracheal extensibility and anastomosis tension will make it possible to establish clinical significance of these indicators for prevention of complications.

Lung transplantations have been regularly performed in the Russian Federation since 2010. Therefore, the number of lung transplant recipients, as well as the number of patients with airway complications following lung transplantation has been increasing. Treatment of these patients takes place not only in transplantation centers, but also in other hospitals. This review is devoted to risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and prevention of airway complications after lung transplantation. We analyzed literature data over the last 15 years. It was confirmed that bronchoscopy is a «gold standard» for diagnosis of airway complications while bronchoscopic interventions are preferred for treatment. Balloon and rigid bronchodilation and endoscopic airway stenting are the most effective interventions. Silicone stents are the most optimal. Antimicrobial prophylaxis and timely use of antiproliferative immunosuppressive drugs are important factors in prevention and treatment of airway complications after lung transplantation.

Objective: To analyze the long-term outcomes of local resections in patients with carcinoid tumors of bronchopulmonary system., Material and Methods: There were 52 patients with tracheal and bronchopulmonary carcinoid for the period 2013-2019. The sample included 21 men and 31 women. Age of patients ranged from 20 to 82 years (mean 62 years). Typical carcinoid was diagnosed in 34 cases, atypical carcinoid - in 18 cases. Central tumor was diagnosed in 26 patients. Tracheal neoplasm was found in 2 patients. Another patient had mediastinal tumor. Five patients underwent resection with broncho- or tracheobronchoplastic reconstruction., Results: Surgical approach for carcinoid is determined by its differentiation, localization and lung tissue lesion following a long-standing tumor. These operations are quite safe. Complications occurred after 4 (7.7%) surgeries. Long-term results were followed-up for the period from 8 months to 7 years. There were no signs of recurrence and disease progression after organ-sparing bronchial resection. Local resection with bronchoplasty is advisable for typical carcinoid.

Objective: To analyze early and delayed results of various variants of circular tracheal resection (CTR) with anastomosis, to determine the safest approach, dates and conditions of correction, features of postoperative period in patients after previous tracheal surgery., Material and Methods: There were 831 patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis. CTR was made in 330 (39.7%) patients. Most patients had previous prolonged ICU-stay. The patients were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 consisted of 61 (18.5%) patients after previous prolonged tracheal stenting. Group 2 included 45 (13.6%) patients who underwent circular tracheal resection with a functioning tracheostomy. Tracheostomy tube served as a stent in these patients. Group 3 enrolled 32 (9.7%) patients with previous staged reconstructive plastic surgeries on cranial segment of the respiratory tract. Tracheostomy or stent were absent in 192 (58.2%) patients who underwent circular tracheal resection at the first hospitalization. These patients were enrolled into the fourth (control) group. Favorable outcomes (without complications and mortality) were achieved in 85.5% (n=282) of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 48 (14.5%) patients. Mortality rate was 0.6% (n=2). The greatest number of complications including anastomositis and restenosis was noted in patients after CTR and previous tracheoplasty with T-tube (n=8, 25%). The most common complication in patients after tracheal resection and previous stenting was anastomositis (14.7%). Long-term results depended on postoperative complications and methods of their correction. Recurrent stenosis occurred in 5 (1.5%) patients within the period of 3 months - 8 years. CTR after previous tracheoplasty with T-tube was carried out in 4 of these patients., Conclusion: Tracheal resection after preliminary stenting or tracheostomy is quite safe and technically feasible. Stenting allows postponing radical surgery for correction of concomitant diseases and closure of tracheostomy as a focus of infection within the surgical approach and further tracheal anastomosis. Tracheal resection with simultaneous closure of tracheostomy results a higher rate of postoperative complications compared with preliminary stenting.

Background: Currently, the trend continues to increase the number ofpatients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis (CTS). Therefore, prevention and treatment ofthis disease remains topical. The main cause ofcicatricial tracheal stenosis is damaging the trachea during mechanical ventilation. The scheme ofprevention of this disease in Russia hasn't brought the desired results., The Aim: to clarify the modern etiology of cicatricial tracheal stenosis, to identify the trend in incidence rates, to determine whether there is an optimal safe alternative to tracheostomy including the use of minimally invasive techniques, to improve diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm at various stages of assistance, and also to study the results of innovative operations and new ways of maintaining gas exchange., Materials and Methods: 1128 patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis was treated from 1963 to 2015 in Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery and IMSechenov First Moscow State Medical University. Over time methods of di- agnosis, methods of anesthesia and operations have been varied. In this regard all patients were divided into two groups depending on the period of time from 1963 to 2000 (297 patients) andfrom 2001 to 2015 (831 patients). In recent decades there is a steady increase in the number of treated patients. So, if in the first group during the year operational treatment about the CTS 8,0 patients were underwent, in the second - to 55.4. Cicatricial tracheal stenosis appeared after lung mechanical ventilation at 1025 (for 90.9%) patients. They have undergone both radical one-stage treatment and multi-stage and sequential intraluminal procedures. In general there is a clear trend towards more aggressive surgical tactics. So, if in thefirst group, the tracheal resection with anastomosis was performedin 59 patients only, the second-330. Thefrequency ofpostoperative complications and mortality in the second group ofpatients was 12.9 and 0.7 %, respectively., Results: Only a reasonable combination of all treatment methods, the principle of "every patient his own version of operation" allows to minimize the risk oftreatment and to get a good lasting result. Proof of such provision may be the fact that the frequency of complications and postoperative mortality at our patients have had a tendency to decrease and currently stands at 12.9 and 0.7 %, respectively for many years. It is 2.3 and 9.6 times less, respectively, than in the periodfrom 1963 to 2000. It appears that further reduction of these indicators will be at a slower pace, afurther solution of the CTS problem will be based on the prevention of disease., Conclusion: Prevention of cicatricial tracheal stenosis in the departments of reanimation and intensive care is currently inadequate. It requires fundamentally new approaches, but reform still has not brought the desired results. Diagnosis of the CTS at an early stage allows early treatment and to avoid complex and risky operations. Increasingly important, apart tracheoscopy for diagnosis of tracheomalacia purchase dynamic computed tomography and magnetic resonance - tomography. Treatment ofpatients with CTS requires a multidisciplinary approach, individual selection operations for a particular patient. The general trend of the further development of tracheal surgery is associated with an increase in the number of simultaneous resections, including at the long, two-level stenosis, as well as at relapse. The patients who had refused treatment or have elected him palliative options made possible surgery. The frequency of postoperative comnlications and mortality decreased significantiv, including after extensive and traumatic operations on the trachea.

At present time several surgical approaches are being used for cicatrical tracheal stenosis including cervicotomy, longitudinal- circumferential sternotomy and thoracotomy. Besides location of stenosis an approach is being determined by constitutional and anatomical features of patient, surgeon's and anesthesiologist's experience, well-coordinated work of operating team. If pathological process is placed in cervico-laryngeal, cervical and upper thoracic segment cervicotomy is preferable. Partial longitudinal-circumferential sternotomy is believed to be adequate in case of lesion of thoracic trachea and its bifurcation. This approach provides all types of tracheal reconstructions. Technical difficulties appear if process is localized in membranous wall of suprabifurcational part, bifurcation and primary bronchus. In these cases we recommend thoracotomy through the bed of resected the 3rd or the 4th ribs and patient's position on his front. Interventions including pulmonary tissue resection and tracheal edges convergence are possible through thoracotomy.

Aim: Tracheal surgery became relatively safe with development of thoracic surgery, endoscopy and anesthesia. However, life-threatening vascular complications especially arrosive bleeding from great vessels play important role in the structure of postoperative complications. It is a major cause of hospital mortality after tracheal surgery., Material and Methods: Since 1963 to 2013 867 patients with cicatrical tracheal stenosis were treated. Their age ranged from 8 to 77 years. Bleeding was the main cause of death after tracheal surgery. It occurs in 31 patients among whom 22 died. 9 patients are alive. There was bleeding from small cervical vessels and carotid artery in 5 and 2 patients respectively. All patients with bleeding from brachiocephalic trunk died except 2 patients who underwent complex vascular reconstructions and recurrent complications were prevented. Vascular complications occurred after both circular tracheal resection with the anastomosis (19 patients) and tracheoplasty followed by airway lumen formation on T-shaped tube (in 11 cases) or endoscopic treatment (in 1 patient). Postoperative complications were predominantly arrosive and accompanied by wound infection or severe purulent tracheobronchitis. Blood loss was relatively small in all patients and asystole was caused by blood asphyxia in died patients. Therefore, firstly respiratory tract lumen should be isolated from source of bleeding. 22 patients were urgently operated. Intraoperative death was observed in 6 cases, 7 patients died within 2-31 days. In 7 other patients cervical soft tissues, thyroid artery collaterals and carotid artery were origin of bleeding., Results: Final bleeding stop was performed with good immediate and long-term results in all cases. Final bleeding stop usually requires complex vascular reconstructions and it is difficult to predict their outcomes. It is necessary to prevent intraoperative bleeding because of unsatisfactory results of vascular complications management. So careful manipulations with vessels and their isolation from the tracheal anastomosis and tracheostomy channel with patient's own tissues are obligatory.

Treatment of multifocal and extended tracheal stenosis is associated with considerable difficulties in comparison with local lesions. Resection with restoration of respiratory lumen by using of direct intertracheal anastomosis substantially entered into common clinical practice. But these interventions in patients with two-level lesion are performed rarely. Among 900 operated patients with cicatrical tracheal stenosis resection of two tracheal segments with forming of anastomoses was performed only in 5 patients. We presented an experience of single-stage resections of different segments of respiratory tract for nonneoplastic cicatrical stenosis. Indications and contraindications are defined. Technical features of resection are discussed. Our data show that such operations are possible and safe. All patients recovered. Their breath was completely restored. Risk of postoperative complications after similar operations is not higher than after one-level resection. But at present time these techniques may be used by specialists and institutions with serious experience in tracheal surgery.

The article deals with a case of successful anaesthesia management during the surgery due to tracheoesophageal fistula and double level cicatricial tracheal stenosis. Such surgeries are accompanied with technical and organizational difficulties both for an anaesthesiologists and endoscopist. The article discusses tactics of anaesthesia management during transesophageal balloon dilatation of tracheal stenosis, transesophageal tracheal intubation and respiratory techniques during the separation of tracheoesophageal fistula and tracheal resection.

From 1963 to 2011 in the Department of lung and mediastinum surgery were treated 879 patients with trachea stenosis and 107 patients with benign tracheoesopageal fistula were treated in the Department of lung and mediastinum surgery from 1963 to 2011. latrogenic trachea and the esophagus damage was caused by long-term ALV in 87% of cases. Patients were aged from 5 to 79 years. 47.2% of patients came with functioning tracheostome. 25.7% of patients had a clinically significant respiratory disorder at admission, 10.2 % of which were life-threatening. Iatrogenic damage of the trachea was identified before extubation or decannulation only in 27% of patients. In such circumstances, prevention and diagnostics of iatrogenic injuries, as well as initial care alternatives takes on special significance.

The article summarizes the experience of treatment of 107 patients with tracheoesophageal fistula of nonneoplastic etiology. Etiology, diagnostic and treatment approaches were analyzed and compared, depending on the time period. The proportion of patients with combined pathology as tracheoesophageal fistula and cicatrical stenosis of the trachea has significantly increased recently. The main cause of fistulation was the jatrogenic tracheal injury during the mechanical lung ventilation. Basic diagnostic methods were endoscopy and computed tomography. The main objective of emergency remains isolation of the tracheobronchial tree from the gastrointestinal tract. Radical surgery can cure 97.8% of patients with minimal risk, including comorbidity. Conservative treatment and palliative surgery should be used only in case of the curative treatment failure or on the preparatory stage.

The paper gives a concise account of the evolution of epiglottic airways and the emergence of the new product of this class--I-gel (Intersurgical, United Kingdom). It outlines the structural features of I-gel and the authors' experience in using the latter to maintain airway patency during anesthetic maintenance in 34 patients. Based on a review of the scanty data available in the literature on this airway and their clinical experience, the authors come to the conclusion that there is a great variety of I-gel inherent positive characteristics that make this airway highly promising for the needs of current anesthetic maintenance and, possibly, resuscitative care. The authors consider it expedient to expand the use of I-gel to specify the evaluation of its efficiency and competitive capacity of the epiglottic airways that have already well shown themselves.

Closed chest injury with rupture of the trachea and main bronchi is a rare and extremely life-threatening pathology. In suspected tracheal injury, as well as in severe closed chest injury with the gas syndrome, diagnostic tracheobronchoscopy with possible intubation is indicated in order to isolate the airway lumen from the paratracheal space. Tracheal intubation through a fibrobronchoscope should be considered to be the first aid. Tracheostomy is not the operation of choice and it is indicated only when there is no available technology or experience in intubating the airways under endoscopic guidance. Most small tracheal ruptures in closed chest injury, as well as those of iatrogenic postintubational genesis, may be medically eliminated. A surgeon jointly with an anesthetist and a bronchological endoscopist should determine indications for the operation. The operation should be performed as early as possible. It should be started from the intubation of the airways and the insertion of the end of an intubational tube caudally the rupture. When the breathing circuit is depressurized, all alternative gas exchange maintenance techniques available at an anesthetist's disposal, including high-frequency artificial ventilation and a shunt-breathing system, are indicated, which should provide a patient's safety and surgical comfort.

Overall 553 patients aged 9 to 77 years with cicatrical stenoses of trachea were treated. The causes of stenoses were tracheostomy (345 patients), intubation of trachea (155), trauma (29), unknown (24). Surgical methods of treatment were used at 448 (81.0%) patients, endoscopic methods--at 105 (19.0%); overall 1184 operations have been performed. Transplantation of donor thyrotracheal complex has been performed at 1 patient with subtotal cicatrical stenosis of trachea. Combination of staged reconstructive and plastic operations with endoscopic procedures permits to achieve good functional results. Treatment of these patients should be performed at special medical centers which have all the necessary technologies.

Iatrogenic damage to the trachea in its intubation and during artificial lung ventilation ,is a rare, severe and commonly fatal complication in resuscitative care. The risk for tracheal damage increases in emergency, time shortage and hypoxia in a patient, while intubating with a double-lumen tube, using rigid mandrin guides without a safety limit stop, and having difficulties in intubating the patient due to his/her anatomic features. Fibrotracheoscopy is the principal diagnostic techniques that may cause tracheal rupture, which may be transformed to a therapeutic measure, by placing an intubation tube caudally at the site of tracheal rupture. Among 33 patients, only 6 underwent surgical defect suturing. When the trachea is ruptured, surgery is indicated for respiratory hemorrhage unstopped by inflating the cuff of an intubation tube and, perhaps, associated with the damage to a large vessel; for progressive gas syndrome, extensive rupture of the membranous part with the involvement of the tracheal bifurcation and main bronchus or with the interposition of paratracheal tissues; for a concomitant damage to the esophagus; for rupture of the tracheal membranous part during intubation before thoracotomy or for rupture detected during thoracotomy for another cause. Correct and timely care may eliminate this life-threatening iatrogenic complication, by yielding a good effect.

Endoscopic techniques in the treatment of patients with cicatricial stenoses of the trachea have become customary in clinical practice. They may be used alone and in combination with open surgery. The present paper discusses various endoscopic therapy modalities. The long-term results of stenting of the trachea for its stenosis are recent and of practical importance, which permits revision of the established opinion on this treatment option.

Cicatricial stenosis and tumors are the main indications for tracheal surgery. From 1963 to January 2001 323 patients were operated for cicatricial stenosis of trachea. In 287 (88.9%) patients tracheal stenosis was iatrogenic after respiratory reanimation. In 191 (59.1%) patients tracheal stenosis located in cervical part of the trachea. In 67 of them it combined with stenosis of subplicalis part of the larynx. Lesion of cervical-upperthoracic trachea was seen in 57 (17.6%) patients, thoracic part--in 69 (21.4%). Total lesion of trachea was diagnosed in 6 (1.9%) patients, in 2 of them tracheal bifurcation and both main bronchi were involved in cicatricial process. Indications for surgery were in 238 (73.7%) patients. 85 (26.3%) patients underwent endoscopic treatment. The main operations were circular resection and staged reconstructive-plastic surgeries. 303 patients were discharged, 20 patients died, hospital lethality was 6.6%. Intra- and postoperative complications were seen in 93 (13.4%) cases. Good and satisfactory long-term results were achieved in 85.1% patients. Unsatisfactory long-term results were associated with postoperative complications.

A total of 323 patients (195 males and 128 females) were treated at the Russian Surgery Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in 1963 to January 2001. They underwent 692 surgical or endoscopic interventions. Surgical treatment included circular tracheal resection and stepwise T-tube tracheal plastic repair. Three hundred and three patients were discharged, 20 patients died. Hospital mortality was 6.6%. Poor postoperative outcomes and intraoperative complications were noted after 93 (13.4%) interventions. The causes of death were bleeding in 5 patients, respiratory failure in 4, tracheal rupture at bougienage in 3, intraoperative vascular damage in 3, posthypoxic brain edema in 2, thrombotic embolism in 2, and total bronchospasm after tracheal endoscopic bougienage. Care to patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis is frequently fraught with a risk and requires competence under the conditions of a specialized hospital. The most dangerous complications are those due to anastomotic incompetence, mediastinitis, bleeding, aspiration pneumonia, and respiratory failure.

The authors present the analysis of the results of examination and treatment of 156 patients (84 females and 72 males aged from 7 to 69 years) with primary tumors of the trachea. Morphological types of primary benign and malignant tumors of the trachea and peculiarities of their clinical features are described. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, results of roentgenologic examination and tracheobronchoscopy with biopsy. Surgical methods of treatment were endoscopic and open operations on the trachea. Endoscopic methods are of great importance in removal of benign tumors of the trachea as well as a preliminary stage before elective operation in subcompensated and decompensated neoplastic stenosis for elimination of stridor respiratory insufficiency and for decrease of secondary inflammatory disturbances in respiratory airways. In cases of extended resections of the trachea a series of special modes was provided for elimination of tension during anastomosis formation. Follow-up results of resections of the trachea for benign tumors are quite favourable. In cases of malignancies they are significantly worse. Survival of patients depends on histological type of the tumor and on the variant of resection of the trachea.

The bronchoalveolar fluid (BAF) cytology of 63 patients with bronchiectasis has been studied. BAF from 8 subjects without pulmonary pathology served as control. BAF samples were obtained after preliminary cleaning of the bronchial tree from the purulent contents. BAF cytosis was found significantly increased in bronchiectasis as compared to the control being observed even at minimal inflammatory activity in the lungs and due to elevated neutrophil count. Alveolar macrophage numbers reduced only in advanced inflammation. Lymphocyte count remained unchanged. BAF cytologic evidence objectively reflects the degree of the bronchoalveolar inflammation.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils were studied by the cytologic methods in 58 patients with chronic bronchitis, 63 ones with bronchiectasis, and 8 normal controls. The study included cytospectrophotometry of myeloperoxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity and estimation of active oxygen-producing cells in the NBT test. Neutrophilic functional activity was different in the patients with chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Neutrophilic myeloperoxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were lower in the patients with chronic bronchitis than in those with bronchiectasis, whereas the counts of cells active in the NBT test were low in both patient populations.

The authors discuss the results of the first experience in the clinical use of nitinol spiral endoprostheses as an artificial supporting framework of the trachea in local destruction of the tracheal cartilages and loss of rigidity of the tracheal wall. Tracheal endoprosthetics was carried out in 6 patients with cicatrical stenoses and tracheomalacia. The causes of possible complications (growth of granulation tissue into the tracheal lumen and displacement of the endoprosthesis) are analysed and the means of their prevention are suggested. It was established that the nithinol spiral endoprosthesis may be covered by epithelialized tracheal mucosa and provide an adequate rigid lumen for the tracheal area devoid of the framework. The diameter of the implanted prosthesis must be 2-3 mm larger than the diameter of the normal tracheal lumen. Temporary introduction of a protector tube into the repaired trachea may shorten the duration of treatment significantly.

Endoscopic interventions with the use of a AIH-laser and high frequency currents were carried out in 72 patients with tumors and cicatricial stenoses of the trachea and bronchi. Intraoperative complications occurred in 4 patients. The immediate results were good and satisfactory in 92.8% of patients. The authors conclude that the use of a polypectomic loop is advisable in removal of tumors on a narrow base, those on a wide base are best destroyed with a laser; the use of an AIH-laser beam in the treatment of cicatricial stenosis is undesirable.