Post Intubation Early and Late Tracheal Pathologies

Objective: Herein, we present our experience in treating the tracheal ruptures and stenoses after endotracheal intubation. Material and Method: Nine patients with tracheal stenosis and rupture after prolonged intubation between December 2004-November 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Four of these cases were tracheal ruptures and five were tracheal stenoses. Three of the cases with tracheal ruptures were male and one was female, with a mean age of 37 (25-46). Three of the cases with tracheal stenoses were male and two were female, with a mean age of 32 (15-43). The etiology of all cases with tracheal rupture was forced intubation for general anesthesia and prolonged mechanical ventilation in all tracheal stenosis cases. Results: All cases with tracheal rupture were treated conservatively. There was no morbidity or mortality. Resection and anastomosis were performed in three tracheal stenoses cases, tracheostomy was applied in one case for long tracheal stenoses and broncoscopic dilatation and stent in one case quadroplegic case. Tracheoesophageal fistula developed in one case which was treated surgically. Conclusion: Tracheal rupture and stenosis can occur in any patient after intubation of any duration. Therefore, special notice is required to diagnose these cases as soon as possible. Proper treatment should be planned in the light of clinical observation.