Endoscopic-assisted cricotracheal resection: a new operative approach to identify the limits of resection

Background: This study aimed to describe a safe, simple, and accurate method for identifying the proximal and distal limits of the stenosis by intraoperative endoscopic assessment during cricotracheal resection (CTR).Methods: This case series included 14 patients with subglottic and upper tracheal stenosis grades III and IV according to the Myer–Cotton classification. A single-stage CTR was performed for all patients, for whom intraoperative endoscopic assessment of the limit of resection was performed. After 1 year of follow-up, 11 patients had good airways and clean anastomotic sites. Three patients had a satisfactory airway and mild restenosis with no granulation tissue at the anastomosis site.Results: The results of the endoscopic-assisted CTR were excellent and accurate, with precise removal of only the stenotic segment. By this simple approach, we preserved healthy subglottic tissues and normal tracheal rings as much as possible.Conclusion: The endoscopic-assisted CTR is an effective method for locating and removing stenotic segments.