Tracheal Resection

Overview and Facts about Tracheal Resection

Your trachea (or “wind pipe”) is a tube that carries oxygen to your lungs. This tube is designed to be flexible, expanding with each breath. However, in some cases, your trachea can become scarred or diseased with cancer tissue. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend tracheal resection.

During tracheal resection, a surgeon cuts away the damaged area. Then, they reconnect the healthy ends of the trachea. This procedure can improve your breathing. Tracheal resections can also help remove cancer tissue.

What to Expect during Tracheal Resection

On the day of your surgery, your medical team will give you anesthesia. This medication makes you sleep through the procedure. Next, they will place a tube down your throat to help you breathe during surgery.

In some cases, your surgeon may perform the surgery through your mouth. This is known as the endoscopic approach. However, in most cases, surgeons prefer to make an incision in your neck and upper chest

Your surgeon will let you know before surgery which approach they plan to use and also explain whether or not you need more than one surgery. While some tracheal resections are completed during one procedure, others require several surgeries. Your surgery plan will depend on how much tissue the surgeon needs to remove.

During surgery, your surgeon will carefully cut away the diseased or damaged tissue. Then, they will sew together the healthy tissue, restoring the trachea. This process often takes four to seven hours.

Afterward, your neck will be immobilized while you heal. Your medical team will keep the breathing tube down your throat for a few days. This tube helps you breathe more easily while you heal. Most patients stay in the hospital for about five days.

What are the Side Effects of Tracheal Resection?

After your surgery, you may have:

• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing
• Throat or chest pain

Some patients also feel sore, tired , or achy. These side effects usually disappear as you recover. It can take up to six weeks to make a full recovery.

Let your doctor know if your symptoms don't go away or if they get worse. Notify your medical team right away if you develop a fever or severe breathing problems.

What are the Risks of a Tracheal Resection?

Tracheal resection is generally safe. This form of thoracic surgery offers excellent results for most patients.

However, all surgeries carry some risks. Some patients may develop:

• Blood clots
• Pneumonia
• Post-surgical infections

Patients may also experience ongoing breathing problems after surgery. Elderly patients are at a higher risk for surgical complications. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Sometimes, new scar tissue can develop within the trachea. If you develop future tracheal damage, you may need another surgery. Your medical team can discuss with you how to reduce your risk of new scar tissue.

Medication and lifestyle changes may also protect your trachea from future damage.