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Ann Thorac Surg 2000;69:243-244
© 2000 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original Articles

Postintubation tracheal tear repair by cervicotomy and longitudinal tracheotomy

^a Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac and Thoracic Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Address reprint requests to Dr Angeletti, Division of Thoracic Surgery, St. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy
e-mail: c.angeletti{at}dc.med.unipi.it

Background. Membranous tracheal lacerations are a serious complication of endotracheal intubation. Smaller tears are often better managed with a conservative treatment. Larger ruptures, especially when associated with important manifestations, need an early surgical repair.

Methods. In the last 3 years, three female patients with a posterior tracheal wall laceration, related to endotracheal intubation, underwent surgical procedure in our institution. All tracheal tears were repaired with a running suture through a small cervical collar incision and longitudinal tracheotomy.

Results. All surgical procedures were effective and lasted less than 1 hour. Patients were discharged on average after 5 days. Endoscopic follow-up showed a perfect repair of the tear without signs of tracheal stenosis.

Conclusions. This is a reliable, quick, and safe approach to a rare but insidious complication of general anesthesia. It avoids lateral and posterior dissection of the trachea, reducing the risk of a recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

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