LARYNGO- RHINO- OTOL. 78/1 (1999) 54-56
Abstract
Background: The treatment of long-segment tracheal stenosis is a biological and surgical problem. The introduction of preserved allografts established new possibilities for functional tracheal reconstruction. Patients and Methods: Since 1979 preserved allografts were used 112 patients (including 20 children) with tracheal stenosis. Increasing knowledge in preservation, surgical treatment and pathohistology were put into practice. Results: Implantation of the preserved allografts into the infrahyoid muscles proved to be advantageous. Preservation with the tutoplast method prevented the risk of viral infection, and led to faster and trouble-free post- operative healing. Pathohistological studies let to improve surgical techniques by increasing the knowledge of the nature of tracheal stenosis. Conclusion: Functional tracheal reconstruction for long-segment tracheal stenosis can be achieved by implantation of preserved allografts.