Blunt tracheal transection

Blunt tracheobronchial injuries are rare, but can be life-threatening. A precise preoperative diagnosis and well recognized plan of surgical treatment, which may be unique for each patient are needed to restore the continuity of tracheobronchial tree in a one-stage intervention. We encountered 2 patients with complete tracheal transection of neck and 1 patient with complete tracheal transection in mediastinum and 15 cm tear in the posterior membranous trachea, whose tracheal injury was difficult to repair using direct intubation of distal airway by bronchoscopy. We achieved a good result of repair using a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS).     

Pulmonary Artery Sling with Severe Tracheobronchial Stenosis: Repair in Infancy by Tracheal Resection and Pulmonary Artery Reimplantation

Pulmonary artery sling is an unusual anomaly. The results of surgical therapy have been unsatisfactory in the past because of poor long-term left pulmonary artery patency and failure to address concomitant primary tracheobronchial stenoses. Refinement of suture materials and microsurgical techniques have allowed earlier surgical treatment of tracheal stenosis and have led to improved pulmonary artery patency rates. Intermediate results of primary one-stage repair with tracheal resection and left pulmonary artery reimplantation or translocation in early childhood have been promising. It remains to be seen whether late anastomotic tracheal stenosis will be a problem. This constitutes the first report of a case of one-stage repair with tracheal resection and left pulmonary artery reimplantation in an infant.     

Reconstruction of a tracheobronchial tree disruption with bovine pericardium

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial disruption is a rare, life-threatening condition. Depending upon the extent of the injury, its location, and the condition of the patient, repair/reconstruction options may be limited. The natural history of bovine pericardium used to repair one such tracheal injury has been documented.     

Management of major tracheobronchial ruptures in patients with multiple system trauma

Major tracheobronchial injury presents special problems in the context of multiple system trauma. A 14-year review of a clinical experience revealed eight patients who had operative repair of major bronchial or intrathoracic tracheal injuries. The diagnosis was suspected by subcutaneous emphysema, and especially by persistent pneumothorax or a significant air leak. Bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis in all patients before thoracotomy. All eight patients had multiple system injuries. All five with abdominal injuries were hypotensive at admission and underwent celiotomy before thoracotomy. The decision to perform thoracotomy or celiotomy first in patients with major tracheobronchial injuries and concomitant abdominal trauma must be individualized. If both injuries are recognized simultaneously and the patient is hemodynamically unstable but has adequate oxygenation and ventilation, the celiotomy can be performed first. On the contrary, if oxygenation and ventilation are the most threatening problems in a hemodynamically stable patient despite evidence of hemoperitoneum, the bronchial repair should have priority.     

Surgical treatment for traumatic tracheobronchial injuries

Tracheobronchial injury is a relatively rare but often fatal condition due to the injury from the neck to the chest. Different clinical features depend on the site of injury. We experienced 5 cases of tracheobronchial injury; cervical trachea in 2, thoracic trachea in 1, tracheal carina in 1, left main bronchus in 1. Three cases were caused by blunt trauma by traffic accident and 2 cases were due to penetrating injury (stab wound and gunshot wound). Thoracotomy with primary repair for 3 (simple repair, bronchoplasty, pneumonectomy) and cervicotomy for 2 (end-to-end anastomosis) were performed. One patient with severe associated injury died of multiple organ failure after surgery. Accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment in the early stage is essential in the treatment of tracheobronchial injury.     

Surgical approaches to membranous tracheal wall lacerations

BACKGROUND: Smaller postintubation tracheal tears are often misdiagnosed and, when recognized, they are effectively managed in a conservative fashion. Large membranous lacerations, especially if associated with important manifestations, require immediate surgical repair. We report our experience over the past 7 years. METHODS: From 1993 to 1999, 11 patients with a postintubation posterior tracheal wall laceration were treated in our institution. One patient was male and 10 were female, with a mean age of 68 years. Ten patients underwent orotracheal intubation under general anesthesia for elective surgery, 4 of whom were treated with a double-lumen selective tube. One patient underwent emergency intubation because of anaphylactic shock. In 9 cases the tracheal tear was promptly repaired, by way of a thoracotomy in 4 and by way of a cervicotomy and longitudinal tracheotomy in 5. In 2 cases the tear was small and was consequently managed conservatively. RESULTS: All surgical procedures proved effective in repairing the laceration, and there was no mortality or morbidity in the perioperative period. Early and late endoscopic follow-up showed no signs of tracheobronchial stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: When repair of membranous tracheal laceration is required, the surgical approach should be through a thoracotomy if the tear involves the distal trachea, a main stem, or both, and through a cervicotomy when the laceration is located in the proximal two thirds of the trachea. Performing a longitudinal tracheotomy to reach and suture the posterior tracheal wall is a reliable, quick, and safe procedure, and it avoids lateral and posterior dissection of the trachea.     

Acute tracheobronchial injury

We reviewed our experience with tracheal and bronchial trauma from 1977 to 1988. There were 22 patients with tracheobronchial injuries treated in this period. Seventeen (77%) of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma and five (23%) were due to blunt trauma. Thirteen patients had major associated injuries, including six esophageal injuries. The most common physical findings were tachypnea (13 patients) and subcutaneous emphysema (nine patients). Eight patients presented with airway obstruction. All patients with penetrating cervical tracheal injuries underwent neck exploration and primary repair. All blunt injuries were diagnosed by bronchoscopy. Three patients with blunt injuries were treated with primary repair. Two patients with blunt chest trauma and small bronchial tears were treated nonoperatively with good results. All three deaths (14% mortality rate) were due to associated injuries. We conclude that patients with penetrating tracheobronchial injuries should be managed by surgical exploration and primary repair, although selected patients with blunt injury may be treated nonoperatively.     

Acute injuries of the trachea and major bronchi: importance of early diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial injuries are encountered with increasing frequency because of improvements in prehospital care and early initiation of the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. We review our experience with these injuries with the hypothesis that the leading determinant of patient outcome is the time interval to diagnosis. METHODS: Patients with tracheobronchial injury were identified from the registry of our level 1 trauma center during a 10-year period ending December 1997. Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, surgical management, and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty patients with ten cervical tracheal injuries and ten intrathoracic tracheobronchial injuries were treated. The mechanism of injury involved blunt trauma in 11 and penetrating trauma in 9. All patients underwent surgical debridement and primary repair. Patients with isolated airway injuries were discharged home after a mean hospital stay of 6 days and had no early complications. Three patients had delayed diagnosis (> 24 hours), and all sustained complications including death (1 patient) and multiorgan system failure (2 patients). The overall mortality rate was 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Operative management of tracheobronchial injuries can be achieved with acceptable mortality. Independent of mechanism or anatomic location of injury, delay in diagnosis is the single most important factor influencing outcome. Early recognition of tracheobronchial injury and expedient institution of appropriate surgical intervention are essential in these potentially lethal injuries.     

Primary repair of pulmonary artery sling with double outlet right ventricle and distal tracheal stenosis

The fate of patients with pulmonary artery sling depends on associated tracheal lesions. Distal tracheal stenosis involving the carina frequently results in lethal obstruction due to secretion or inflammatory edema. Further-more, associated complex cardiac anomalies with excessive pulmonary flow make the situation more complicated. We present a case of successful simultaneous one-stage repair of pulmonary artery sling, double outlet right ventricle and distal tracheal obstruction. Pulmonary artery sling was relieved by relocation of the left pulmonary artery (left pulmonary artery to main pulmonary artery) and a tracheoplasty (resection and end-to-end anastomosis). We advocate early aggressive simultaneous repair of pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis and concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies whenever possible.     

Pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis: one-stage repair

Pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis is a difficult management problem. We describe the use of cardiopulmonary bypass as a method to facilitate one-stage repair.     

Iatrogenic ruptures of the tracheobronchial tree.

OBJECTIVE: Iatrogenic tracheobronchial ruptures are seldom but severe complications after intubation or bronchoscopy. Therefore, we evaluated the reasons, the subsequent therapy and the outcome of patients with tracheal rupture, who were admitted to our hospital. METHODS: In a retrospective study we examined 19 patients (15 women, four men; 43-87 years) treated for acute tracheobronchial lesions. Eleven (58%) patients had a tracheobronchial rupture by single-lumen tube, four (21%) by double-lumen tube and two patients (10%) by tracheal cannula. A total of 47% of whom were carried out under emergency conditions. Two patients had a rupture due to a stiff bronchoscopy. Mean symptoms were mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema. Two emergency collar incisions had been done. RESULTS: The localization of ruptures was in all cases in the paries membranaceus, length: 1-7 cm (mean: 4.8 cm). The interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnose differed widely (up to 72 h), nine (47%) diagnoses were made during intubation/bronchoscopy. One patient, with a small tear (1 cm) was treated conservatively with fibrin-glue. The other 18 patients had surgical repair through a thoracotomy. The postoperative mortality was determined with 42%, which was not dependent on the rupture but basically by the underlying diseases requiring intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic tracheal rupture is a dangerous complication with potentially high postoperative mortality, mostly influenced by the underlying disease. Early surgical repair must be the preferred treatment.     

Vascular ring in interruption of the aortic arch with bilateral patent ductus arteriosi

The previously unreported occurrence of a true vascular ring in association with interruption of the aortic arch resulting from bilateral persistence of the ductus arteriosi is described. Division of both ductus is necessary to minimize the potential for tracheobronchial compression. This should be accomplished either during definitive (one-stage) repair of the interrupted aortic arch and associated anomalies or at the initial procedure of a staged repair.     

Pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis: primary one-stage repair in infancy.

Pulmonary artery sling is often associated with tracheal stenosis. In many cases repair of the vascular anomaly alone does not relieve dyspnea. Primary one-stage repair with long segment tracheal resection (2.4 cm) and relocation of the left pulmonary artery using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is described in a 6.5-month-old girl weighing 6.5 kg. This technique resulted in normal ventilation and pulmonary flow distribution.     

The use of omental pedicle flap for tracheobronchial reconstruction in infants and children

For the surgical repair of long-segment tracheal stenosis, costal cartilage graft or extensive resection with end-to-end anastomosis has often been used. Both procedures have a risk of developing anastomotic leakage, which is potentially a lethal complication, or stenosis resulting from compromised blood supply to the tissue at the anastomosis. We have used omental pedicle flap (OPF) to seal the anastomotic line and to restore the vascularity of the graft and the trachea in an attempt to avoid fatal complications. During the period between 1986 and 1990, OPF technique was used in tracheobronchial reconstruction in six patients aged 4 months to 3 years; cartilage graft for extensive tracheal stenosis (4), tracheal resection and anastomosis (1), and bronchial resection and anastomosis (1). The omentum was separated from the colon to form an OPF with the right gastroepiploic vessels preserved. The OPF was brought to the upper trachea in the mediastinum through the retrosternal space. There was no immediate postoperative death due to anastomotic leak. Endotrachial tubes were removed in all patients. Four of the six are totally free of airway problems. One patient showed persistent stridor because of remaining stenosis at the cervical trachea. The remaining one patient who underwent bronchial resection developed anastomotic stenosis probably due to the compression of the floppy left main bronchus by adjacent aorta. The OPF seems to be an important surgical adjunct in order to eliminate fatal complications in tracheobronchial reconstruction.     

Management of acquired nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistula

Acquired, nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistula is an uncommon and difficult problem to manage. The most common cause is a complication of endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes. Most are diagnosed while patients still require mechanical ventilation. We use a conservative approach until patients are weaned from ventilation. A tracheostomy tube is placed so that the balloon rests below the fistula, if possible, to prevent contamination of the tracheobronchial tree. A gastrostomy tube is placed for drainage and a separate jejunostomy tube for nutrition. Single-stage repair is done after the patient is weaned from mechanical ventilation. Esophageal diversion is rarely required. We have performed 41 operations on 38 patients. Simple division and closure of the fistula was done in 9 patients and tracheal resection and reconstruction in the remainder. The esophageal defect was closed in two layers and a viable strap muscle interposed between the two suture lines. There were four deaths (10.9%). There were three recurrent fistulas and one delayed tracheal stenosis. All were successfully managed. Of the 34 surviving patients, 33 aliment themselves orally and 32 breathe without the need for a tracheal appliance.     

Nitinol stent for the treatment of tracheobronchial stenosis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential utility of implantation of a nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) stent for the treatment of malignant or benign tracheobronchial stenosis. METHODS: We evaluated 18 patients (14 men and 4 women) who received 24 nitinol stents, between November 1997 and May 2000. All 18 patients had severe dyspnea caused by tracheobronchial stenosis. The underlying condition was malignant disease in 15 patients, and benign tracheal collapse in the other 3 patients. RESULTS: Implantation of the stent was successfully performed in all patients. Seventeen patients experienced immediate clinical improvement in respiratory symptoms. The remaining 1 patient with a bronchial fistule after lobectomy did not benefit, and died of pneumonia at 16 days after the implantation. In 15 patients, the procedure was performed using a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia alone, while the remaining 3 patients needed intravenous sedation. There was no complication resulting from the stent implantation. Among the 3 patients with benign tracheal collapse, 2 patients were alive at 746 and at 401 days after the stent implantation, at the time of this report. One patient with cicatricial stenosis after intubation died of heart failure due to previous myocardial infarction. Among the 15 patients with malignant disease, 4 patients have survived for 177 to 305 days to date, while the other 11 patients have died of primary malignancy with a mean survival duration of 60.2 days. CONCLUSION: The nitinol stent was effective in treating malignant or benign tracheobronchial stenosis, and had some remarkable advantages compared with other tracheobronchial stents. In stenting, most procedures can be performed using flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia.     

One-stage repair of multiple bed sores.

Management of multiple bed sores which are deep and of large area presents a special challenge to the surgeon, especially when all the sores are within the same anatomical region. We are presenting our experience of one-stage repair of bed sores. Representative cases are discussed including a patient who needed four flaps to close the ulcers. There were no major complications in any of the patients. We advocate one-stage repair in selected patients.     

Conservative treatment for postintubation tracheobronchial rupture

BACKGROUND: Postintubation tracheobronchial rupture is usually responsible for unstable intraoperative or postoperative conditions, and its management is discussed. We insist on conservative treatment as a viable alternative after late diagnosis of postintubation tracheobronchial rupture. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including 14 consecutive patients treated between April 1981 and July 1998. RESULTS: Twelve tracheobronchial ruptures occurred after intubation for general surgery and two after thoracic surgery. In all cases, the tear consisted of a linear laceration of the posterior membranous wall of the tracheobronchial tree ranging from 2 to 6 cm. One death occurred in a very weak patient unfit to undergo a redo operation for surgical repair. Seven patients were treated conservatively and cured without sequelae. Six patients underwent surgical repair, of whom 2 were diagnosed and repaired intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive surgical repair is not always mandatory after delayed diagnosis of iatrogenic tracheobronchial rupture. Conservative treatment must often be considered, except after lung resection.     

One-lung ventilation in a patient with stenting for tracheobronchial stenosis caused by esophageal cancer

We have provided general anesthesia for a 53-year-old man scheduled to undergo lymph node removal for right mediastinal lymph node metastases caused by esophageal cancer. One year prior, acute respiratory failure occurred because of stenosis of the carinal bifurcation resulting from advanced esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion. The patient underwent placement of tracheobronchial stents (Spiral Z Stent) in two locations (left main bronchus and trachea/right main bronchus), followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the present case, after an 8.5-mm-ID tracheal tube was placed under bronchoscopic guidance, a 7.0 Fr. bronchial blocker (Arndt Endobronchial Blocker; Cook, Bloomington, IN, USA) was carefully inserted into the stent in the right main bronchus. Next, 3 ml air was injected into the blocker cuff, and left-sided one-lung ventilation was performed. After surgery was completed, the bronchial blocker was removed under bronchoscopic guidance. We confirmed there was no tracheobronchial injury nor stent displacement or deformation, then removed the tracheal tube. Even in patients with tracheobronchial stent placement, one-lung ventilation can be safely and reliably performed by selecting an appropriate bronchial blocker, along with careful insertion into the stent and frequent checking of the blocker position.     

Tracheobronchomalacia in an adult with metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

Anaesthetic complications such as obstruction of airways by submucosal cartilage-bone protuberances, immobility of the neck or instability of the atlanto-axial joint have been described earlier in paediatric patients with congenital osteochondral disorders. This report concerns a case in which tracheal collapse due to tracheobronchial malacia in an adult patient with metaphyseal chondrodysplasia evidently caused severe ventilatory difficulties in the induction of anaesthesia. The management of the patient on three subsequent occasions is described. During the first operation, support of the upper respiratory tract was performed. For this procedure, awake tracheal intubation with local anaesthesia applied to the larynx, vocal cords and trachea was used. After surgical correction of the bronchus of the right upper lobe and the stem bronchus, subsequent anaesthesias for surgical treatment of scoliosis could be conducted safely. The possibility of co-existing tracheobronchial malacia in patients with osteochondrodysplasias should be considered and tracheal intubation under local anaesthesia is recommended.