Trachea Surgery: Diagnosis and Treatment Methods
The trachea (windpipe) is a critical component of the body's respiratory tract, which leads from the throat to the lungs. It is about 12 cm long and has a tubular structure made of cartilage. The windpipe divides into two bronchi, right and left, which lead to the lungs.
The majority of cases of tracheal stenosis occur after prolonged intubation (insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea to support breathing in medical procedures) or as a result of damage to the windpipe during tracheostomy (surgical opening of the trachea).
In addition, tracheal stenosis can also occur for the following reasons
- Congenital causes
- Trauma to the throat
- Benign or malignant tumours pressing on the trachea
- Previous surgical procedures
- Some autoimmune diseases (such as polychondritis, sarcoidosis, papillomatosis, amyloidosis or Wegener's granulomatosis)
- Infections (bacterial, fungal and tuberculosis)
- As a result of radiation therapy to the head or neck region
Symptoms:
Trakeal darlık yavaş bir şekilde gelişebilir ve erken dönemdeki belirtiler diğer rahatsızlıklarla karışabilir, bu da teşhisi zorlaştırabilir. Belirtiler arasında şunlar yer alır:
- Cough
- Bruising of the skin (cyanosis)
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma-like symptoms
- Feeling of fatigue and weakness
- Frequent pneumonia or recurrent respiratory infections
- Stridor (a high-pitched sound caused by congestion in the larynx or larynx, audible when breathing)
- Wheezing
Diagnosis:
People experiencing any of the above symptoms may undergo various tests to diagnose tracheal stenosis. These tests may include:
- X-ray images of the chest and trachea
- Detailed imaging of the neck and chest with computed tomography scans
- Laryngoscopy (endoscopic examination of the larynx)
- Bronchoscopy (endoscopic examination of the trachea and bronchi)
Treatment:
Tracheal stenosis can often occur as a result of an underlying medical problem. Therefore, doctors may prefer to address this underlying problem first. Treatment options may vary depending on the location and size of the stenosis.
Surgical treatment:
- Tracheal resection and reconstruction: During this surgical procedure, the narrowed part of the trachea is removed and the ends are brought back together. This treatment is usually successful and offers long-term results.
- Tracheal laser surgery: Using a laser, the scar tissue causing the stenosis can be removed in some cases. Laser surgery may provide short-term relief, but may not be a long-term solution. In some cases, laser surgery can make the stenosis worse.
- Tracheal dilation: Temporary widening of the trachea using balloons or dilators can help relieve symptoms. This method is also used to determine the size of the stenosis, during which the cause of the stenosis can be diagnosed.
- Tracheobronchial airway stent: It is a rarely used method. A metal, silicone or hybrid tube is placed at the site of the stenosis to help keep the airway open. Stents are rarely used as a short- or long-term solution to treat stenosis.