Characterization of Postoperative Patients who underwent Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis Admitted to Intensive Care

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of tracheal stenosis has increased in recent years, with technological advances in intensive care units and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic contributing significantly to this increase.

Objective: To characterize postoperative patients who underwent tracheal resection and anastomosis admitted to an intensive care unit.

Methods: Descriptive and retrospective research in a consecutive series of 34 patients treated at the National Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery between January 2019 and October 2024. The variables studied were age, sex, cause of tracheal stenosis, length of stay, surgical time, and complications, among others.

Results: The mean age was 46.1 (17.5) years, with a predominance of males (79.4%). Associated comorbidities were (58.8%). Prolonged intubation was the cause of stenosis (97.1%). 85.3% had undergone tracheotomy prior to the intervention, and 14.7% had positive microbiological cultures in the tracheostomy exudate. The median surgical time was 180 (120-300) minutes. All patients arrived at the service extubated, and 26.5% of them had some postoperative complication (32.4% had postoperative tracheotomy, and two underwent emergency tracheotomy 24 hours later). The median length of stay in the service was 4 (2) days. All patients were discharged alive.

Conclusions: Postoperative patients who have undergone tracheal resection and anastomosis show favorable progress upon discharge from the intensive care unit and receive specialized care depending on their pre- and postoperative physical condition.