Open surgical techniques for laryngotracheal stenosis.

Adult subglottic and proximal tracheal stenoses are some of the most crippling complications of endotracheal intubation or other laryngotracheal trauma. Subglottic stenoses are a part of the broader category of laryngotracheal stenoses that comprises any lesion from supraglottic larynx to trachea. Patients with laryngotracheal or tracheal stenosis may present with stridor, shortness of breath, or exercise intolerance and may be tracheotomy dependent. The surgeon must have several choices of procedures available to correctly treat the variety of lesions that may occur. This article briefly outlines the pathophysiology of subglottic and tracheal stenosis and discusses in detail the open procedures available.