"The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is one of the most critical parts of our respiratory system."
Definition and Function of the Trachea
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is one of the most critical parts of our respiratory system.
- Anatomical Structure of the Trachea:The trachea begins at the bottom of the throat and divides into bronchi within the rib cage. It is a tubular structure supported by rings of semi-rigid cartilage.
- Basic Functions of the Trachea: The trachea is the main part of the airway. It allows air to enter and exit the lungs during breathing.
- Position in the Respiratory System: The respiratory system consists of the nose, mouth, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The trachea is located in the middle of this chain, forming a central part of the airway.
Why is Tracheal Surgery Needed?
Tracheal diseases caused by various reasons and subsequent dyspnea are seen at increasing rates day by day. The increasing need for intensive care and intubation, especially after the pandemic, causes damage to the tracheal tissue after discharge and progressive shortness of breath over time.
Tracheal diseases can be benign or malignant (cancerous) in nature. Many factors can affect the functional capacity of the trachea and cause shortness of breath.
- Tracheal Stenosis and its Causes: Various factors can cause tracheal stenosis, for example, external trauma, burns or congenital anomalies. Prolonged intensive care hospitalization and tracheostomy applications are common causes.
- Tracheal Tumors: Tumors that develop in the trachea can be benign or malignant. These tumors can make breathing difficult.
- External Trauma and Injuries: Damage to the trachea due to accidents or external factors may require surgical intervention.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms are almost always accompanied by shortness of breath, persistent cough and wheezing. Some patients use COPD medications for a long time for this reason. The onset of these complaints, especially after intensive care hospitalization, should raise suspicion of tracheal stenosis. In cancer cases, trauma, intensive care hospitalization, compression of other organs are not possible.
How is the Diagnosis Made?
Diagnosis is relatively easy. Computed tomography including this area is diagnostic. MRI, respiratory function tests and bronchoscopies are also useful procedures.
Treatment and Surgery of the Trachea
Treatment is surgical whenever surgery is feasible. Surgical removal of the diseased tracheal segment is the main procedure. Whether benign stenosis or cancerous diseases, a complete cure (treatment) can be achieved with surgery.
Depending on the cause of the disease, the stenosis in the trachea can be treated with treatment methods called laser, roughly known as hot or cold cautery applications. However, most of these applications provide temporary relief. If the cause of the stenosis is granulation tissue, this procedure can make the disease more problematic over time. If the cause of the tracheal stenosis is a tumor, surgery should always be the first treatment method in cases where surgery can be performed. Laser treatment is the method used for temporary relief.
In benign tracheal stenosis, especially in cases that develop after the intensive care period called post-intubation, stent placement almost always has no therapeutic properties. However, in various cases where surgery cannot be performed, such as in cases where the length of the stenosis is too long or in the presence of other concomitant diseases that prevent surgery, stenting may be an alternative.
Surgical Complications: As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks in tracheal surgery. For example, infection, bleeding or side effects. Recurrence of tracheal stenosis is another possible complication.
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