Background: Post-intubation tracheal stenosis is a serious problem and surgical resection is the method of choice in long segment tracheal stenosis treatment. The aim of this study was to review the results of surgical treatment of long segment post intubation tracheal stenosis and the role of bilateral hyoid bone cutting in supra- hyoid release technique.
Methods: Between 2004 to 2008, 14 patients with proximal long segment tracheal stenosis with resection of more than 40% of trachea length were evaluated regarding surgical technique and post-operative results.
Results: The mean age of patients was 22.2±0.4 years. Etiology in all patients were head trauma and prolonged intubation and all patients had tracheostomy at the time of trearment. Average time between surgery and first admission was 4.5±0.5 months. Average length of stenosis and resected segment were 3.6±0.5 and 4.3±0.5cm respectively. Average increased length of trachea after bilateral hyoid bone cutting was 1.1±0.3cm. Postoperative complications occurred in one patient with wound infection, and 4 patients had stenosis recurrence which was treated in 3 patients using multiple dilation. Quality of life 2 years after surgery in 71% of patients were classified in good and excellent group. We didn't have any mortality.
Conclusion: Based on the fact that surgery is the best method of treatment in long and multi segment tracheal stenosis and tension in suture line is a serious problem, we recommend extended releasing technique including bilateral hyoid cutting in surgical treatment of these patients.