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Circumferential Tracheal Reconstruction for the Functional Treatment of Airway Compromise
Author(s) -
Olias João,
Millán Gerardo,
da Costa Duro
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/01.mlg.0000150688.00635.2b
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , airway , fibrous joint , anastomosis , granulation tissue , wound healing
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective was to describe a surgical technique for replacement of long tracheal defects with a totally autologous free prefabricated cutaneous chondromucosal forearm tubular flap, applied to humans. Study Design: Surgical reconstruction of the trachea. Methods: A three‐stage surgery was performed in a 25‐year‐old patient who presented with a long tracheal defect not resolved by previous resection with primary anastomosis and laser surgery. Results: The staged surgery has been well tolerated by the patient, and no problems at all were reported. The postoperative computed tomography scan and the bronchofibroscopy examination of the “neo‐trachea” at 2 and 6 months revealed normal caliber, good healing of the suture lines, absence of crusts or granulation tissue, and a well‐vascularized internal mucosal lining. Conclusion: The modified flap reconstruction technique has the potential to be considered reliable for the definitive circumferential reconstruction of extensive laryngotracheal defects not amenable to being cured by conventional techniques.