Transcervical-transtracheal endoluminal repair of membranous tracheal disruptions

Tracheal lacerations are rare and potentially hazardous complications of tracheal intubation. Surgical repair is the treatment of choice of tracheal injuries although nonoperative management is occasionally appropriate for well-selected patients. We describe our personal technique of anterior transcervical-transtracheal endoluminal suture of iatrogenic lacerations of the membranous trachea and our results with this approach in 8 patients. This method is less invasive than conventional cervical or transthoracic approaches. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:984-6) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.