Surgical management of post-intubation laryngotracheal stenosis: Medium-term outcomes following airway resection and reconstruction

Objective: To evaluate perioperative outcomes and medium-term functional and airway results following tracheal or cricotracheal resection for post-intubation LTS.
Methodology: A retrospective case series of seven consecutive patients who underwent open airway reconstruction between December 2021 and December 2022 at Colombo South Teaching Hospital. Clinical, operative, and postoperative data and medium-term follow-up data following 43 to 55 months was reviewed.
Results: Tracheal resection was carried out in 5 patients  and cricotracheal resection in 2 patients. Cricoid cartilage preserved in five patients. All patients were extubated immediately post-operatively. No perioperative mortality, anastomotic dehiscence, airway compromise, wound infection, or any new recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Postoperative MET scores exceeded 4 in all patients. All patients remained decannulated without restenosis, revision surgery, or repeat tracheostomy following 43-55months of follow up. 
Conclusion: Airway resection with primary reconstruction provided excellent medium-term outcomes for complex stenosis. Cricoid preservation is feasible in selected cases based on intraoperative assessment rather than stenosis length alone.