National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran TANAFFOS (Respiration) 1735-0344 1 1(winter) 2021 01 28 Treatment of Post-intubation Tracheal Stenosis with Nd-YAG Laser 36 40 241907 EN Jabbar Darjani HR Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Mirminachi F Department of Pulmonary Medicine Arami S Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Abbassi A Department of Thoracic Surgery, NRITLD, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, TEHRAN-IRAN Masjedi MR Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Journal Article 2021 01 28 Background: Tracheal intubation is a very common procedure for maintaining patency of airway in critically ill patients.<br />Intubation may lead to local complications such as tracheal destruction and post-intubation stenosis. There are two<br />different therapeutic approaches for such patients. The first one is surgical end-to-end anastomosis suitable for severe<br />destructions and fibrosis formations. The second and novel method is utilization of Nd-YAG Laser that can correct<br />intraluminal airway lesions including webs, granulation tissues and fibrous bands. Nd-YAG laser employment decreases<br />hospitalization period, complications and, expenses; in addition, it saves medical staff’s time and energy.<br />Materials and Methods: An uncontrolled clinical trial was performed in post-intubation tracheal stenosis cases<br />admitted to “National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease” (NRITLD) between 1994 to 1999.<br />Bronchoscopy was performed for all patients, and those with the following inclusion criteria underwent Laser therapy:<br />length of stenosis less than 2 cm, tracheal lumen diameter more than 5mm, and granulation tissue type lesions. Patients<br />who did not meet the aforementioned criteria were referred for surgical interventions. Laser therapy was employed by<br />fiberoptic bronchoscopy under local anesthesia. For those patients with tracheal lumen diameter between 5-10 mm rigid<br />bronchoscopy was performed under general anesthesia.<br />Results: Of 32 patients, 25 met the primary criteria for Laser therapy, from which 22 (88%) were completely cured.<br />Because of poor general condition, 5 of 7 other patients who had been referred for surgery, underwent Laser therapy,<br />therefore a total of 30 patients (93%) took advantage of this technique. Overall, 23 patients were treated only with Laser<br />therapy, 2 patients only with surgery and 7 patients with a combination of these two approaches.<br />Conclusion: This trial revealed that if patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis are selected correctly, Laser<br />therapy can be used as a beneficial and safe method with satisfactory results. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(1):36-40). https://www.tanaffosjournal.ir/article_241907_422b64a0a101ba42d0a5c50d2e3765e9.pdf