Posterior wall laceration of the thoracic trachea: the transcervical-transtracheal approach

A large membranous wall laceration of the thoracic trachea was surgically t reated. The surgical approach consists on a low collar incision followed by a longitudinal tracheotomy. The membranous tear was repaired with a runnin g suture and tracheotomy sutured with interrupted crossed stitches. The pro cedure was effective and endoscopic follow-up showed a perfect healing proc ess with no signs of tracheal stenosis. This new technique proved to he a r eliable, quick and safe procedure, which allows to repair membranous lacera tions as far as the carina, avoiding thoracotomy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights: reserved.