Aspiration prevention surgery and postoperative management in patients with tracheal stenosis and thoracic deformity : Report of 3 cases

Abstract

The incidence of granulation tissue formation within the trachea and of the formation of a tracheo-innominate artery fistula is high in patients with thoracic deformities who require tracheal cannulation. Herein, we present a report of three patients with thoracic deformities who underwent aspiration prevention surgery. Since all three patients had tracheal stenosis associated with the thoracic deformity, it was important to perform tracheal cannulation without contacting the tracheal wall at the site of the stenosis. In the two patients who did not require mechanical ventilation, we retained the tracheal stoma, but did not perform cannulation, and in the third patient, who required mechanical ventilation, we placed a tracheal cannula above the tracheal stenosis site. All clinicians who took care of the patients were aware that avoidance of suction around the tracheal stenosis site was important to prevent complications. Tracheostomy and aspiration prevention surgery in patients with thoracic deformity should be performed taking into consideration the high risk of postoperative complications.