甲状腺癌侵及气管的外科处理

目的：探讨侵及气管的甲状腺癌的外科处理方法及疗效。方法：回顾性分析了1975年～1999年共收治的侵及气管的甲状腺癌71例，根据侵及程度分三类：仅侵及气管外膜；侵及气管软骨；侵及气管全层并突入管腔引起呼吸困难。术中分别行切除气管外膜、气管壁开窗造瘘、部分气管切除及全喉切除术。其中17例未分化癌患者术后均行放疗。甲状腺滤泡癌及乳头滤泡癌患者均行碘^[3]治疗。结果：分化型甲状腺癌，1年生存率94．4％，3年生存率88．9％，5年生存率85．2％，10年生存率31．5％。未分化型患者17例均在1年内死亡。结论：侵及气管的甲状腺癌在全身状态允许的条件下是可以采用外科手术治疗的，但未分化型甲状腺癌的预后较差。     

侵及颈动脉的晚期转移头颈鳞状细胞癌的挽救手术

目的探讨侵及颈动脉的晚期转移头颈鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)患者的外科治疗。方法回顾性分析中国医学科学院肿瘤医院10年来对57例侵及颈总或颈内动脉的晚期转移头颈鳞癌患者实施外科治疗的病例资料及术后生存情况。48例患者术中可将肿瘤由颈动脉壁剥离而保留颈动脉；9例肿瘤已侵到动脉壁中膜层而切除动脉，术中不作动脉切除后的Ⅰ期动脉重建术。对手术中认为肿瘤残留和术前未放射治疗(简称放疗)或放疗剂量不足70Gy的患者，进行术后放疗40～70Gy。结果57例患者中4例长期生存；53例死亡，死于术后多器官衰竭1例，死于局部复发10例，颈部复发19例，远处转移14例，颈总动脉出血7例，非肿瘤因素2例。用Kaplan-Meier生存率统计法计算，患者的中位生存时间为13个月；1、2、3、5年生存率分别为51．8％、19．6％、12．5％、8．3％。术中肉眼切净与肉眼残留的复发率分别为26．7％、50．0％；2年生存率分别为22．2％、0。椎前组织受侵与椎前组织未受侵的术后复发率为76．0％、28．3％，2年生存率为12．0％、25．0％。术后放疗与未放疗的复发率分别为46．4％、73．1％；2年生存率分别为21．4％、15．4％。结论对于侵及颈动脉的晚期转移头颈鳞癌患者，应进行积极的外科挽救性手术治疗，术中应尽量整块切除肿瘤，且与周围组织应有合理的安全界限，对于受侵的动脉除非肿瘤已侵及动脉的中膜层，否则，应尽量剥离肿瘤保持动脉的完整，不切除动脉，以减少术后死亡及神经系统并发症。术后放疗可以减低肿瘤复发，可能延长患者的生存时间。     

甲状腺乳头状癌术式探讨

目的：回顾分析甲状腺乳头状癌治疗效果，探讨外科治疗最佳方案。方法：对我院1984－1996年收治的228例甲状腺乳头状癌患者手术治疗结果进行分析。228例患者中肿瘤位于单侧叶者162例，狭部18例，双叶34例，侵犯甲状软骨及气管14例。颈淋巴cN0148例，cN^ 80例，术后均随访5年以上。结果：cN^ 者行功能性（41例）和根治性颈清扫（39例）的5年生存率分别为87．8％（36／41）和87．2％（34／39）。。腺内型cN0伴被膜侵犯者行选择性颈清扫21例，随诊观察20例，其5年生存率分别为90．5％（19／21）和90．0％（18／20），腺内型cN0不伴被膜侵犯者均未行颈清扫，其5年生存率为99．0％（99／100），5年内发生颈淋巴结转移率为1．0％（1／100）；腺外型cN0行颈清扫4例，5年内发生对侧转移为1／4，3例未行颈清扫者5年内发生颈淋巴转移为2／3。腺叶切除术后对侧复发率为2．47％（4／162）。行全甲状腺切除的5年生存率为85．7％（12／14），被膜内全甲状腺切除的5年生存率为85．0％（17／20）。侵犯甲状软骨板及气管者，行喉全切除，其5年生存率为3／5，保留喉功能的5年生存为6／9。结论：对甲状腺乳头状癌提倡功能性颈清扫；腺内型cN0者主张随访观察，发现淋巴转移再生颈清扫；腺外型cN0病人主张同期颈清扫。原发灶位于单侧行腺叶及峡部切除，位于峡部及左，右叶各1／3切除，位于双侧行被膜内全甲状腺切除，侵犯甲状软骨板及气管者尽可能保留喉功能。     

外耳道腺样囊性癌24例临床分析

目的探讨外耳道腺样囊性癌的临床诊断和治疗策略。方法回顾性分析解放军总医院1996—2007年经治的24例外耳道腺样囊性癌患者的临床资料,并用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率。结果全组24例患者中,行局限性外耳道肿物切除术3例,行部分骨性外耳道和软骨切除加乳突根治术11例,行颞骨次全切除术9例,颞骨全切除术1例。4例晚期患者腮腺因受侵而切除。23例患者术后加用辅助放疗。全组总的5年累计生存率为71-4％．10年累计生存率为38．1％;临床误诊的患者与未被误诊患者的10年生存率分别为21．9％和59-3％（P=0．012）。结论外耳道腺样囊性癌生长缓慢,但长期效果差,对肿瘤的扩大切除可能提高生存率、降低复发,手术加放疗是有效的综合治疗策略。     

甲状腺癌侵及气管的外科处理

目的:探讨侵及气管的甲状腺癌的外科处理方法及疗效。方法:回顾性分析了1975年～1999年共收治的侵及气管的甲状腺癌71例,根据侵及程度分三类:仅侵及气管外膜;侵及气管软骨;侵及气管全层并突入管腔引起呼吸困难。术中分别行切除气管外膜、气管壁开窗造瘘、部分气管切除及全喉切除术。其中17例未分化癌患者术后均行放疗。甲状腺滤泡癌及乳头滤泡癌患者均行碘~(131)治疗。结果:分化型甲状腺癌,1年生存率94.4％,3年生存率88.9％,5年生存率85.2％,10年生存率31.5％。未分化型患者17例均在1年内死亡。结论:侵及气管的甲状腺癌在全身状态允许的条件下是可以采用外科手术治疗的,但未分化型甲状腺癌的预后较差。     

晚期上颌窦鳞癌432例临床治疗分析

为总结临床采用不同方法治疗晚期上颌窦鳞癌的经验，对资料完整的４３２例病人进行回顾性分析。Ⅲ期１４１例，Ⅳ期２９１例，男２４４例，女１８８例，年龄１４～８７岁。选用放疗、手术及放疗＋手术的综合治疗。结果：５年生存率分别是，放疗组１５．６％，手术组２１．７％，综合治疗组４０．１％（其中术前放疗者为４０％，术后放疗者为４３％），放疗剂量选择４０Ｇｙ和６０Ｇｙ者分别为４１．５％和４１．９％，侵犯上方结构者３１．７％，下方结构者４６．６％，上下均受侵者２０．０％。治疗失败者２３８例，有１９８例为局部复发。结论：晚期上颌窦癌多以面部肿胀，疼痛，鼻腔异常分泌物，鼻塞为首发症状。ＣＴ用于该病的诊断和分期是值得信赖的，治疗以计划性的综合治疗效果最好，选择术前或术后放疗方式以及术前或术后放疗剂量选择４０Ｇｙ和６０Ｇｙ，对生存率均无明显影响，肿瘤侵犯下方结构者预后明显好于侵犯上方结构和上、下均侵及者，有效地控制局部复发是上颌窦癌治疗成功的关键。     

鼻咽部腺样囊性癌的治疗体会

目的总结鼻咽腺样囊性癌的临床特征、治疗方法及预后，探讨更有效的治疗方式。方法回顾性分析中国医学科学院肿瘤医院头颈外科1968年1月—2000年5月问21例原发于鼻咽的腺样囊性癌患者的临床资料，分析单纯放疗与放疗结合手术两种治疗方式的5、10年的无瘤生存率以及肿瘤复发情况。结果21例鼻咽腺样囊性癌患者就诊时的主要症状有回吸性涕中带血、头痛、鼻塞、耳聋耳闷、复视伴视力减退及面部麻木等。其中T1、他期患者占28．6％（6／21），T3、T4期患者占71．4％（15／21）。颈部淋巴转移率为14．3％（3／21）。13例行单纯放疗，8例放疗结合手术治疗。2l例鼻咽腺样囊性癌患者失访1例，5年无瘤生存率为42．9％（9／21）。单纯放疗的5年无瘤生存率为38．5％（5／13），放疗结合手术的5年无瘤生存率为50．0％（4／8），二者差异无统计学意义（P=0．472）。随访10年的无瘤生存率为16．7％（3／18）。单纯放疗的10年无瘤生存率为0／12，放疗结合手术的10年无瘤生存率为50．0％（3／6），二者差异有统计学意义（P=0．025）。治疗后的局部复发率为50．0％（10／20）。单纯放疗的局部复发率为66．7％（8／12），放疗结合手术的局部复发率为25．0％（2／8），二者差异无统计学意义（P=0．085）。远处转移率为30．0％（6／20）。单纯放疗的远处转移率为25．0％（3／12），放疗结合手术的远处转移率为37．5％（3／8），二者差异无统计学意义（P=0．455）。结论鼻咽腺样囊性癌治疗后局部复发率高，晚期易出现远处转移。与单纯放疗相比，放疗结合手术可以提高鼻咽腺样囊性癌的10年无瘤生存率。     

胸大肌肌皮瓣修复晚期口咽侧壁肿瘤手术缺损

对18例晚期口咽侧壁肿瘤患者的术后缺损，用胸大肌肌皮瓣修复。取瓣面积为15cm×10cm～3cm×3cm；3例发生部分坏死，4例行预防性气管切开；术后外形及口咽功能恢复均满意。术后3年和5年生存率分别为61．5％和40．0％。皮瓣的愈合与本前放疗及术中操作等因素有关。认为晚期口咽侧壁肿瘤术后缺损应首选胸大肌肌皮瓣作一期修复，以提高患者生存质量，延长其生命。     

59例晚期声门上型喉鳞状细胞癌治疗和临床疗效分析

目的：比较手术加辅助放疗与单纯手术治疗晚期声门上型喉鳞状细胞癌的疗效。方法：将59例晚期声门上型喉鳞状细胞癌按治疗方法分为手术＋放疗组（33例）和手术组（26例）。手术＋放疗组全喉切除27例,部分切除6例,其中27例行侧颈淋巴结清扫术;手术组全喉切除23例,部分切除3例,其中24例行侧颈淋巴结清扫术。结果：手术＋放疗组和手术组的3年总生存率分别为62．6％和62．6％,5年总生存率分别为43．8％和40．5％,经Log—rank检验两组之间的生存率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。手术＋放疗组5例复发,复发率15．2％;手术组10例复发,复发率38．5％,两组的复发率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：手术加辅助放疗未能提高晚期声门上型喉鳞状细胞癌3、5年总生存率,但明显降低肿瘤复发率。     

前颅底手术—术式及适应证探讨

31例头颈部肿瘤因累及前颅底而行前颅底切除术，包括多种部位和类型的肿瘤．大多数为鼻腔、鼻窦肿瘤，其中良性肿瘤4例，恶性肿瘤27例。手术分为经颅底咬除术和额面联合切除术两种不同方式。各种手术并发症发生率为32．3％（10／31），无手术死亡。恶性肿瘤患者3年生存率33.0％。5年生存率16.5%。对头颈部晚期肿瘤施行前颅底切除术是安全可接受的，建议以颅颌面手术入路，选择肿瘤未侵破颅底骨板至硬脑膜为主的手术适应证。     

甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管的气管缺损与修复

目的总结甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管的气管缺损修复经验,提高术中气管缺损修复的治疗效果。方法收集2011年8月—2019年2月诊治的32例甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管患者资料,其中6例术中采用锐性削除受侵气管外壁,8例气管袖式切除+端端吻合,6例胸锁乳突肌锁骨骨膜瓣,8例胸锁乳突肌锁骨骨膜瓣联合生物膜,2例前臂皮瓣+自体软骨移植,2例气管造瘘+Ⅱ期修复。结果6例锐性削除气管外壁患者中,有1例患者术后第6天出现气管瘘,予以换药后出院;余26例患者中,24例于术后6个月内恢复正常呼吸功能,1例前臂皮瓣+自体软骨移植患者术后出现局部气管狭窄,黏痰堵塞,带管生存,1例带蒂胸锁乳突肌骨膜瓣+生物膜患者术后气管局部塌陷伴双侧声带麻痹,带管生存。结论对于侵犯气管的甲状腺癌患者,根据不同的侵犯范围,选取合适的气管切除和缺损气管的修复方式,才能取得较高的手术成功率和较好的治疗效果。     

累及喉、气管的甲状腺乳头状癌临床治疗分析

目的 探讨累及喉、气管的甲状腺乳头状癌的临床治疗经验。 方法 回顾性分析2010年1月至2019年12月山东大学齐鲁医院耳鼻咽喉科收治的87例累及喉、气管的甲状腺乳头状癌患者的基本资料,统计分析其采用的肿瘤切除方式、气管修补方法、术后拔管率及3年和5年生存率。 结果 87例患者均进行了手术治疗,肿瘤切除方式包括:气管壁肿瘤锐性剃除(60例),气管壁楔形切除(15例),气管袖状切除(3例),喉部分切除(1例),全喉切除(4例),姑息切除(4例)。气道重建方法包括:拉拢缝合(5例),胸大肌肌皮瓣修补(1例),胸锁乳突肌锁骨骨膜瓣修补(1例),端端吻合(3例),喉成型术(1例),气管造瘘术(12例)。随访时间为4-122个月,随访到79例,其中15例行气管切开,气管切开术后拔管率66.7%(10/15),3年生存率为100%,5年生存率为93.0%。 结论 对于累及喉、气管的甲状腺乳头状癌,通过准确的术前评估和合理的手术治疗,可以显著改善患者生活质量,获得良好的生存期。     

分化型甲状腺癌侵犯喉气管临床分析

目的　探讨甲状腺癌累及喉、气管时的外科处理方法。方法　2000年1月～2010年12月在我院手术治疗晚期分化型甲状腺癌24例,根据肿瘤侵犯喉、颈段气管的范围及程度分别行肿瘤削除术和气管袖状切除端端吻合术;喉部分切除胸锁乳突肌或颈阔肌皮瓣修复术。结果　24例患者均接受根治性手术切除,喉、气管缺损修复重建。术式：肿瘤削除术8例,气管袖状切除8例,喉部分切除术8例。吻合方式：气管端端吻合8例,胸锁乳突肌皮瓣修复4例,颈阔肌皮瓣修复4例。本组患者肿瘤复发率为8.3%,5年累积生存率为91.6%。结论　对侵犯喉、气管的分化型甲状腺癌患者应采取更为积极的外科治疗,以减少术后复发,提高生存率。     

Window resection of the trachea and secondary reconstruction for invasion by differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective

In cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, the presence or absence of invasion into the circumferential organs is an important prognostic factor. Surgical procedures include circular resection of the trachea with end-to-end anastomosis and window resection with secondary closure. We have used window resection with secondary closure since 1993, and herein retrospectively analyze the treatment outcomes for this surgical procedure in order to determine the indications for procedure selection.

Methods

Subjects comprised 41 cases of invasion by differentiated thyroid carcinoma into the trachea, for which surgery was performed at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of the National Cancer Center Hospital East from 1993 to 2007. The mean age was 65.7 ± 7.9 years, and the median length of the observation period was 43 months. There were 17 cases (41.4%) cases of secondary relapse.

Results

The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates for this surgical procedure were 78.9% and 74.5%, respectively, while the 5-year and 10-year local control rates were 92.4% and 73.4%, respectively. The pathological resection stump was positive in 27 cases (65.8%), but no significant differences in treatment outcome were observed between the stump-positive group and the stump-negative group. There were 26 cases in which closure of the tracheal fistula was performed by the time of observation. When the tracheal defect had a diameter equivalent to 7 rings of the trachea or less and a circumference half that of the tracheal cartilage or smaller, including partial cricoid cartilage, it was possible to perform closure with only a local flap. For larger defects, reconstruction was performed using hard tissues or materials, such as hydroxyapatite, titanium mesh, and costal cartilage. There were 2 cases that required re-window because of dyspnea after closure.

Conclusion

The treatment outcomes for this surgical procedure for invasive cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma into the trachea resulted in a low rate of local recurrence and similar survival rates as described in other reports. Even for cases of resection exceeding half the circumference of the trachea, closure of the tracheal fistula can be performed using hard tissues or materials; however, in such cases, we believe that closure should be attempted progressively in a two-stage reconstruction.     

Prognostic factors of locally invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma involving the trachea

To report our experience with tracheal invasive thyroid carcinoma with emphasis on clinical characteristics and treatment modalities, and to identify the prognostic factors for tracheal invasive thyroid carcinoma. Totally 1919 patients underwent surgical extirpation of thyroid cancer from 1990 to 2010. Among them, 65 patients had well-differentiated thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion. The incidence was higher in male and older patients. Patients were treated with tracheal shave excision (n = 18), tracheal resection (n = 37) and total laryngectomy (n = 10). Locoregional recurrence occurred in 39 patients, and metastasis occurred in 25 patients. Simultaneous involvement of the trachea and the esophagus was associated with locoregional recurrence (p = 0.039) in univariate analysis, but not confirmed by multivariate analysis. There was significant difference in the disease-specific survival (DSS) according to laryngeal involvement (p = 0.002). All the patient in the shave excision group survived until the end of the study period. Although it is categorized in same classification of T4a, simultaneous involvement of the trachea and the esophagus showed higher locoregional recurrence and laryngeal involvement showed lower DSS. Despite the invasion of thyroid cancer into the adjacent aerodigestive tract, many patients showed long survival when they underwent appropriate surgery.     

Aerodigestive tract invasion by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma: diagnosis, management, prognosis, and biology

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: 1) To describe the clinical entity invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (IWDTC), 2) to determine prognostic factors for survival in patients with IWDTC, 3) to describe and compare types of surgical resection to determine treatment efficacy, 4) to offer a staging system and surgical algorithm for management of patients with IWDTC, 5) to examine alterations in expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin adhesion molecules in three groups of thyroid tissue and propose a cellular mechanism for invasion of the aerodigestive tract. STUDY DESIGN: Basic science: quantification of expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in three groups of thyroid tissue. Clinical: retrospective review of patients with IWDTC surgically treated and followed over a 45-year time period. METHODS: Basic science: immunohistochemical staining was used with antibodies against E-cadherin and beta-catenin in three groups of tissue: group 1, normal control thyroid tissue (n = 10); group 2, conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 20); group 3, IWDTC (n = 12). Intensity scores were given on the basis of protocol. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate differences between groups. Post hoc ANOVA testing was completed. P < .05 was significant. Clinical: patients were divided into three surgical groups within the laryngotracheal subset: group 1, complete resection of gross disease (n = 34); group 2, shave excision (n = 75); group 3, incomplete excision (n = 15). Cox regression analysis was used to determine significance of prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to evaluate survival. P < .05 was significant. RESULTS: Basic science: a significant difference between the three thyroid tissue groups for E-cadherin expression was demonstrated on one-way ANOVA testing. When controls were compared with either experimental group in post hoc ANOVA testing, differences between all groups were demonstrated (P < .001). For beta-catenin, the intensities of the three groups were not different by one-way ANOVA testing. Similar nonsignificant results were found on post hoc ANOVA testing. Clinical: there was a statistically significant difference in survival for patients with and without involvement of any portion of the endolarynx or trachea (P < .01). There was a significant difference among all three surgical groups when compared (P < .001). When complete and shave groups were compared with gross residual group there was a significant decrease in survival in incomplete resection group (P < .01). Cox regression analysis demonstrated invasion of larynx and trachea were significant prognostic factors for poor outcome. The type of initial resection was significant on multivariate analysis. Removal of all gross disease is a major factor for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Basic science: there is a decrease in membrane expression of E-cadherin in IWDTC, and loss of this tumor suppressor adhesion molecule may contribute to the invasive nature of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Clinical: laryngotracheal invasion is a significant independent prognostic factor for survival. Patients undergoing shave excision had similar survival when compared with those undergoing radical tumor resection if gross tumor did not remain. Gross intraluminal tumor should be resected completely. Shave excision is adequate for minimal invasion not involving the intraluminal surfaces of the aerodigestive tract.     

颈段气管肿瘤的诊治经验

目的 总结原发性颈段气管肿瘤的诊治经验，提高治疗效果。方法 回顾性分析1981年1月—2002年12月在中国医学科学院肿瘤医院头颈外科治疗的38例原发性颈段气管肿瘤患者的临床资料。手术治疗26例，单纯放疗12例。气管袖状切除11例；气管壁部分切除13例，其中Ⅰ期气管修复6例；全喉、部分气管和甲状腺腺叶切除2例。结果 恶性肿瘤34例，其中腺样囊性癌19例，鳞状细胞癌10例，非霍奇金淋巴瘤2例，低分化癌1例，中分化腺癌1例，小细胞未分化癌1例。颈段气管腺样囊性癌患者3年和5年生存率分别为79．80％和48．36％，鳞状细胞癌分别为80．00％和20．00％。良性肿瘤患者均无瘤生存。治疗后并发症的发生率为18．4％（7／38），其中气管狭窄的发生率11．5％（3／26）。结论 原发性气管肿瘤多数为恶性，其中以腺样囊性癌和鳞状细胞癌居多。手术治疗为气管肿瘤首选治疗措施，气管袖状切除为手术方式之一。     

The Gregorio Marañón Hospital experience with vertical partial laryngectomies

We present a retrospective study of 551 patients treated with conservative surgery for glottic carcinoma at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital between 1962 and 1996. In all, 12% of cases were locally advanced carcinomas. In early-stage carcinomas there were no statistical differences in 5-year survival between those treated by endoscopic laser resection, vertical hemilaryngectomy and radiotherapy. However, tumor recurrence after primary radiotherapy was higher (27%) than with conservative surgery (12%), while the voice preservation rate was significantly higher with surgery (83%) than with radiotherapy (72%). With locally advanced cancer, irradiated patients (to 60 Gy) had a 50% probability of recurrence with a very low chance for salvage by total laryngectomy (5-year survival rate, 38.5%). In contrast, partial laryngectomy could be performed on carefully selected patients, and the results for these patients were comparable to those for smaller lesions (with a 5-year survival rate of 81%).     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus: A retrospective analysis of 36 cases.

36 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinuses formed the basis of this review. There were 16 T3 and 20 T4. Treatment consisted of radiotherapy alone in 21 cases and radiotherapy followed by systemic chemotherapy in 15 cases. The median survival for all analysed patients was 19 months and the 3-year and 5-year estimated survivals were 30% and 17%. The respective 3-and 5-year survival probabilities were 19% and 9% for patients treated with radiotherapy alone and 40% and 27% for patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (p= 0.01). Our findings seem to suggest that the addititon of systemic chemotherapy to radiotherapy may imporve overall survival in advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinuses.     

Endoscopic treatment of severe tracheal stenosis

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic treatment of subglottic and tracheal stenosis has traditionally been reserved for short-segment and web-like stenoses with normal cartilage. This retrospective case series review was undertaken to examine my experience with definitive endoscopic treatment for circumferential and complete tracheal stenosis with loss of cartilaginous support. METHODS: Patients who presented with tracheostomy dependence or dyspnea as a result of clinically significant tracheal stenosis over a 2-year period were treated endoscopically. Mitomycin C was applied after dilation in 19 patients. Three patients with complete stenosis and cartilage collapse underwent endoscopic placement of a silicone elastic stent, which was in place for less than 23 days. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated for tracheal stenosis over a 2-year period. No surgical complications were observed after operation in the endoscopic treatment group. Three of 6 patients with complete stenoses and 8 of 10 patients with circumferential stenoses with cartilage involvement gained airways that remained patent. Nine patients' stenoses resolved after the initial treatment. Three patients (15%) eventually required tracheal resection. The follow-up periods ranged from 5 to 25 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although some limitations apply, severe and complete tracheal stenoses may be successfully treated endoscopically with the techniques described. Definitive endoscopic treatment may be considered before tracheal resection in select cases. Endoscopic treatment is associated with few complications, low morbidity, a short operative time, and a short length of hospitalization.