Tracheal Stenosis Surgery

The trachea is a vital organ located just below our vocal cords and extends to the lungs. Strictures in the trachea cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, difficulty coughing, feeling of suffocation, snoring, and a thin sound when breathing.

The most important cause of tracheal stenosis is prolonged intubation in intensive care. Especially during the SARS COVID-19 period, the number of patients admitted due to tracheal stenosis has increased significantly. It can also be caused by rheumatologic diseases, chemical gases, short-term intubations (surgeries). Rarely, tracheal stenosis can occur next week without a clear cause.

We primarily treat tracheal obstructions endoscopically through the mouth. This surgery, which we refer to as balloon dilatation, allows patients to breathe more comfortably and to expand their breathing spores. In people whose tracheal stenosis persists after repeated endoscopic procedures, it becomes inevitable to repair the trachea openly. With an open surgery, the damaged part of the trachea is removed and the healthy parts are sewn end to end. After this procedure, most of the patients can return to their normal life without any problems. In people whose disease recurs despite these surgeries, the airway is kept open by using silicone supports called stents.