1/49. Tracheocarotid artery fistula infected with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.Massive life-threatening haemorrhage from a fistula between the trachea and a major blood vessel of the neck is a rare complication of the tracheostomy procedure, well-recognized by anaesthetists and otolaryngologists. Although the lesion is likely to be encountered at autopsy, it is not described in histopathological literature. The possible causes are discussed together with the macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the lesion. Suitable procedures for its identification and for obtaining appropriate histopathological blocks are suggested. Presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has not been documented before and might have contributed to the genesis of the fistula in this case.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/49. Two cases of benign tracheo-gastric fistula following esophagectomy for cancer.Two successfully managed cases of esophageal replacement for cancer complicated by neoesophagotracheal fistula are described. In both cases radical esophagectomy with a gastric pull-up was performed. In the postoperative period different complications necessitated prolonged ventilatory support and tracheostomy. In both cases a tracheo-gastric fistula developed probably because of the ischaemic effort of the tracheostomy tube and the nasogastric tube. At single stage repairs, the fistulae were divided and the gastric defects were closed directly. In the first case resection of four strictured tracheal rings and tracheal anastomosis had to be performed. In the second case the fistula was recognized earlier and stricture did not develop. The defect on the membranous trachea was patched with autologous fascia lata graft. A left pectoralis major muscle flap was interposed between the trachea and the pulled up stomach in both cases to prevent recurrence of the fistula. Treatment of this potentially life-threatening and rare condition yielded excellent results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/49. Non-malignant tracheo-gastric fistula following esophagectomy for cancer.Two cases of neoesophago-tracheal fistula are described. After esophagectomy for cancer a fistula developed between the trachea and the pulled-up stomach probably because of the ischaemic effect of the tracheostomy tube. At single stage repairs, the fistulae were divided and the gastric defects were closed directly. In one case, tracheal resection and anastomosis was necessary. The defect on the membranous trachea in both cases was patched with an autologous fascia lata graft. A left pectoralis major muscle flap was interposed between the suture lines to prevent recurrence of the fistula. Treatment of this potentially life-threatening and rare condition yielded excellent results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/49. Ballooned trachea caused by cuffed tracheostomy tube.Despite the dramatic decrease in cuff-related complications with the introduction of high-volume low-pressure devices for intubation and tracheostomy, notable problems can still occur. A case is reported of a patient who developed persistent dilatation of the trachea after prolonged mechanical ventilation. This is an under-recognized, life threatening clinical entity occurring after cuffed intubation for prolonged time. At present there is no definitive treatment regarding the management of a dilated trachea on a ventilator-dependent patient and therefore emphasis is directed at prevention. The patient presented was managed with periodical alterations of the cuff level which although not achieving any reversal of the dilatation, have prevented further progression of tracheal damage. During the follow-up period, regular assessment with flexible endoscopy has provided more reliable information on the condition of the trachea than computed tomography (CT) scanning.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/49. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the trachea.Primary tracheal tumors are extremely rare, and the majority of them are malignant. Inflammatory pseudotumor is a benign, tumorlike lesion, most likely of a reactive nature. Its basic morphologic characteristic is spindle cell (myoblasts and fibroblasts) proliferation with a variable number and type of inflammatory cells. A case of intratracheal inflammatory pseudotumor in a 14-year-old boy is presented together with a review of all similar lesions in the available literature. The discussion includes the presentation of tracheal tumors, their basic morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, and treatment modalities that are available. The surgeon must exercise caution not to perform radical surgery based on the initial pathologic diagnosis from the intraoperative frozen section, because the prognosis of these benign lesions generally is excellent. This is the second reported case of intratracheal inflammatory pseudotumor successfully endoscopically vaporized using a CO(2) laser, which is an excellent alternative in cases in which surgical treatment is feasible. J Pediatr Surg 36:631-634.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/49. Metal airway stent implantation in children: follow-up of seven children.Long segment malacia of the trachea or main stem bronchi in children is not always suitable for surgical correction; patients may therefore remain ventilator-dependent and/or experience severe obstructive crises. We treated 7 children (ages, 4 months to 9 years) with extreme structural central airway obstruction with stent implantations. Six were mechanically ventilated; 5 had frequent life-threatening obstructive spells requiring deep sedation or paralysis. Diagnoses were: syndrome-associated tracheobronchomalacia (n = 4), malignancy infiltrating the carina (n = 1), congenital tracheal stenosis (n = 1), and tracheobronchial compression by a malpositioned aorta (n = 1). Six tracheal and 13 bronchial stents were endoscopically placed. The prostheses included mesh titan (n = 5), the newer shape memory material nitinol (n = 13), and 1 Y-shaped carina stent. Follow-up was reported for 7 weeks to 72 months. All patients showed marked improvement of their respiratory obstruction. Six children were weaned at least temporarily from ventilation. No significant bleeding, stenosis, or perforation was observed. Seven stents were changed after up to 14 months. Three children are well and at home. In 2 children airway stabilization was successful, but they later died from causes unrelated to stent placement, and 2 children died due to generalized airway disease. Soft metal mesh airway stents can offer a therapeutic option in life-threatening inoperable obstruction of the trachea and main stem bronchi in children.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/49. Pericardial flap aortopexy: an easy and safe technique in the treatment of tracheomalacia.A 5-month-old boy who had been operated for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula was presented with recurrent life-threatening apneic spells, expiratory stridor and difficulty in feeding. diagnosis of tracheomalacia was confirmed by bronchoscopy and pericardial flap aortopexy was performed. Pericardial flap aortopexy is a relatively simple procedure with minimal risk to the aorta. Minimal dissection is required and there are no sutures placed in the aortic wall, thus avoiding the risk of tears.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/49. Trachea stabilisation with autologous costal cartilage in acquired tracheomalacia: report of two cases.Post-operative tracheomalacia is a life threatening condition whose management is challenging. Surgical procedures which have been suggested in the literature to manage the condition include tracheostomy, staged thyroid reductions and the use of artificial stents either within the lumen of the tracheobronchial tree or as external support. We report the successful management of two patients using autologous costal cartilage to support the tracheal wall.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/49. Spontaneous tracheal and subglottic tears in neonates.OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Spontaneous rupture of the trachea or subglottis as a complication of difficult delivery has not been reported in the united states literature. There have been a few cases reported in the European literature. The present report describes a series of newborns with this complication and discusses the signs and treatment options of this difficult, life-threatening problem. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. methods: Newborns born between 1996 and 2001 who were treated for spontaneous subglottic or tracheal rupture at a tertiary care children's hospital neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed. RESULTS: Four cases of spontaneous subglottic rupture were seen at the hospital. In three of the four cases the tracheas were intubated on an emergency basis after subcutaneous air was noted in the anterior aspect of the neck. In the fourth patient the trachea was not intubated until the subglottic tear was visualized intraoperatively. Two of the four patients died. One died without securing of an airway; the other died of complications of prolonged hypoxia. Eight cases from European literature of spontaneous neonatal subglottic and tracheal tears are reviewed and are compared with the cases presented in the current report. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of airway rupture by flexible endoscopy is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Standard endotracheal intubation can exacerbate the problem and should be deferred if possible until direct airway visualization can be accomplished. Signs associated with tracheal tears include subcutaneous emphysema, respiratory distress, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. These should lead to emergent consultation with otolaryngologists for examination and securing of the airway.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/49. Intrathoracic myoplasty for prosthesis infection after superior vena cava replacement for lung cancer.Prosthesis infection after lung and superior vena cava system resection for non-small cell lung cancer is a life-threatening complication. We report a case in which an intrathoracic muscle flap transposition was used to cure tracheal fistula associated with prosthesis infection without the explant of the vascular graft.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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