Anastomotic stenotic complications after tracheal resections.

Background: Treatment of anastomotic stenosis after tracheal resections is not well established. We aimed to share our experience with the management of this condition.
Methods: This is a single-institution, retrospective study of prospectively recorded files of patients who suffered from anastomotic stenosis after tracheal resections. Data were analyzed according to the symptoms, location, length of the stenotic segments, and interventions.
Results: Anastomotic "restenosis" developed in 6 of 42 patients who had tracheal resections at our institute; and 6 patients were referred to us after restenosis of the initial resection performed elsewhere. Nine patients were admitted with the symptoms of dyspnea and stridor, 2 patients with surgical tracheostomy applied after unconsciousness, and 1 patient with a Montgomery T Tube (MTT). We treated 8 patients successfully with dilatation and therapeutic bronchoscopy including stent placement and re-resection. Four patients were palliated with MTT.
Conclusions: Although the patient number was too small to draw any conclusions, we would like to stress that the MTT is still an acceptable option when therapeutic bronchoscopy fails and re-resection is technically not possible.