Laser resection of post-intubation tracheal cicatricial stenosis.
A 37-year-old male patient was hospitalized in April 2025 due to a traumatic esophageal fistula. He underwent several surgical procedures on the esophagus and thorax because of empyema. In June, he developed stridor and dyspnea. A thoracic surgeon recommended endoscopic tracheal recanalization, and the patient was referred to us for further management.
On physical examination, auscultation revealed stridorous breathing. Oxygen saturation was 96%. Chest CT (08.07.2025) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (30.07.2025) demonstrated a severe deformation of the tracheal lumen at the level of the first tracheal cartilage ring, with a critically severe stenosis measuring 3–4 mm.
The patient underwent laser resection of tracheal cicatricial stenosis under general anesthesia. A fiberoptic bronchoscope was introduced through a laryngeal tube. Initially, the stenotic segment was treated with low-power laser (7–9 W). Subsequently, high-power laser ablation of the cicatricial tissue was performed (14–16 W), followed by extraction of the fibrotic tissue using rigid forceps (alligator forceps). At the end of the intervention, balloon dilation was performed using a 16 mm balloon, with inflation maintained for 3 minutes. The procedure was then completed.
The patient spent one postoperative bed day and was discharged home in improved condition.
