Cervical slide tracheoplasty in adults with laryngotracheal stenosis

Length of Stay in Patients Undergoing Tracheoplasty: A NSQIP Study

BACKGROUND

Prolonged length of stay (LOS) has been associated with increased morbidity and resource utilization in various surgical procedures. We aim to determine factors associated with increased hospital stay in patient undergoing tracheoplasty.

METHODS

The 2012-2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for patients undergoing tracheoplasty. Patient LOS was the primary clinical outcome. A LOS >75th percentile was considered as prolonged and was utilized for bivariate analysis of demographic, comorbidity, and operative characteristics. LOS was utilized as a continuous variable for multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 252 patients were queried. The majority of patients were female (67.5%), white (82.4%), and over the age of 65 (77.0%). Patients had a median LOS of 7 days with the 75th percentile cutoff being defined at 10 days. On bivariate analysis of associated comorbidities, patients with prolonged LOS were more commonly obese (72.4% vs. 53.1%, p = 0.009), diabetic (37.9% vs. 16.5%, p < 0.001), dyspneic (58.6% vs. 40.7%, p = 0.016), and had chronic steroid use (25.9% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.018). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between prolonged LOS and both chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) (OR: 3.43, p = 0.020) and chronic steroid use (OR: 3.81, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidates factors associated with prolonged LOS in patients undergoing tracheoplasty. Patients with COPD and chronic steroid use were significantly associated with prolonged LOS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2022.

Reconstruction of the trachea and carina: Surgical reconstruction, autologous tissue transplantation, allograft transplantation, and bioengineering

There have been significant advancements in medical techniques in the present epoch, with the emergence of some novel operative substitutes. However, the treatment of tracheal defects still faces tremendous challenges and there is, as yet, no consensus on tracheal and carinal reconstruction. In addition, surgical outcomes vary in different individuals, which results in an ambiguous future for tracheal surgery. Although transplantation was once an effective and promising method, it is limited by a shortage of donors and immune rejection. The development of bioengineering has provided an alternative for the treatment of tracheal defects, but this discipline is full of ethical controversy and hindered by limited cognition in this area. Meanwhile, progression of this technique is blocked by a deficiency in ideal materials. The trachea together with the carina is still the last unpaired organ in thoracic surgery and propososal of a favorable scheme to remove this dilemma is urgently required. In this review, four main tracheal reconstruction methods, especially surgical techniques, are evaluated, and a thorough interpretation conducted.

Acquired tracheal stenosis: Cervical slide tracheoplasty

Acquired tracheal stenosis can result from iatrogenic injury or, less commonly, tracheal tumors. Symptoms can arise insidiously and typically include respiratory distress, sleep disordered breathing, or exercise intolerance. Diagnostic evaluation includes cross-sectional imaging and endoscopy. Various endoscopic and open procedures exist to address acquired tracheal stenosis and treatment should be tailored to the patient. Cervical slide tracheoplasty without cardiopulmonary bypass is a versatile technique that can address different types of tracheal stenosis. It allows for immediate reconstruction with vascularized tissue and continued opportunity for growth as the child ages, with high success rates with minimal morbidity.

Slide tracheoplasty: Predictors of outcomes and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Determine preoperative comorbidities and intraoperative parameters associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective case series at a single tertiary care children's hospital from 2010 through 2017.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients with median age of 6 months and median weight of 7.1 kg underwent slide tracheoplasty. Median time to extubation, length of intensive care unit admission, and length of hospitalization were 7, 27, and 30 days, respectively. Twenty-two (85%) required no additional intervention. Overall success was 87%. One (4%) patient required open revision, and 3 (11%) required tracheostomy. Concomitant cardiac surgery was associated with postoperative tracheostomy (p = 0.04). Age and weight at surgery were inversely correlated with length of intubation (p = 0.03) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.001, p = 0.002) respectively. Hospital stay was 2.2 times longer if preoperative mechanical ventilation was required (p = 0.01) and 39% longer for every 1 mm decrease in airway diameter at the narrowest portion of the stenosis (p = 0.005). There were no deaths related to persistent tracheal stenosis with a median follow-up of 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Slide tracheoplasty is safe and effective. Concomitant cardiac surgery was associated with postoperative tracheostomy. Lower age and weight at surgery were correlated with longer length of intubation and hospital stay. Preoperative mechanical ventilation and smaller airway diameter were associated with longer hospital stay. This information may be helpful in counseling families and planning future prospective studies.

Perioperative outcomes after tracheoplasty: A NSQIP analysis 2014-2016

OBJECTIVES

Tracheoplasty or tracheal resection and are essential components of the care of patients with severe tracheal stenosis. We aimed to study the perioperative outcomes of patients after tracheoplasty or resection using a national surgical registry.

METHODS

We analyzed the 2014 to 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) participant use file for patients who underwent tracheal resection or tracheoplasty (CPT codes 31750, 31760, 31780, and 31781). We analyzed the perioperative outcomes including length of stay (LOS), dehiscence, unplanned reintubations, unplanned surgeries, and 30-day readmission rates. A random 4:1 sample of non-tracheoplasty patients served as the control group.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2016, 126 patients underwent tracheoplasty. The median age was 56 years (IQR = 45-63). There were 93 (74%) females, 88 (70%) white, and 3.2% (4/126) Hispanic. The median LOS was 7 days (IQR = 5-10 days). Of these, 4.8% (6/126) developed wound infections and 3/126 (2.4%) developed wound dehiscence. Five out of 126 required unplanned reintubation (4.0%) and 16/126 (13%) had an unplanned reoperation. The 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 16% (20/126). The wound infection, unplanned intubations, and readmission rates were significantly higher (P < .005) than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The 30-day perioperative outcomes of adult patients undergoing tracheoplasty showed that adverse events are common, but severe adverse events such as death are rare. Continued research into risk mitigation among these patients is warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 130:1514-1519, 2020.