Management of complications of tracheal surgery - A case of dehiscence

Abstract

We report a case of tracheal stenosis in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia who presented 4 yr after splenectomy. The 20-yr progression of the stenosis and management, including resection, is charted. The period after resection was complicated by wound infection, surgical emphysema, mediastinitis and dehiscence of the anastomosis of the trachea. The management of patients with tracheal lesions is discussed, but concentrates on airway care after tracheal resection when complications developed. A laryngeal mask airway was used to stabilize an uncuffed tracheal tube at the site of dehiscence.