Circumferential Tracheal Reconstruction for the Functional Treatment of Airway Compromise

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Abstract
Objectives/Hypothesis:The objective was to describe a surgical technique for replacement of long tracheal defects with a totally autologous free prefabricated cutaneous chondromucosal forearm tubular flap, applied to humans.Study Design:Surgical reconstruction of the trachea.Methods:A three‐stage surgery was performed in a 25‐year‐old patient who presented with a long tracheal defect not resolved by previous resection with primary anastomosis and laser surgery.Results:The staged surgery has been well tolerated by the patient, and no problems at all were reported. The postoperative computed tomography scan and the bronchofibroscopy examination of the “neo‐trachea” at 2 and 6 months revealed normal caliber, good healing of the suture lines, absence of crusts or granulation tissue, and a well‐vascularized internal mucosal lining.Conclusion:The modified flap reconstruction technique has the potential to be considered reliable for the definitive circumferential reconstruction of extensive laryngotracheal defects not amenable to being cured by conventional techniques.