Tracheal stenosis following prolonged intubation is a relatively rare but serious problem. This condition is usually managed by surgical or endoscopic interventions. Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation for tracheal stenosis is considered a valuable tool used for the management of tracheal stenosis. In this article, we try to evaluate the role of balloon tracheoplasty in the management of tracheal stenosis and to assess the number of dilatation sessions usually needed as well as the short to midterm outcome. This study involved 40 patients with tracheal stenosis diagnosed by computed tomography (neck and chest) and bronchoscopy at the Security Force Hospital in Riyadh, KSA, between January 2013 and August 2018. Patients’ data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients’ age ranged between 18 and 60 years. Thirty patients were males (75%); those patients underwent balloon tracheoplasty via dilatation of areas of narrowing using catheter balloon insufflation guided by fiber-optic bronchoscope. Ninety-five percent of the patients had initial success with acceptable dilatation of the stenotic area and improvement of the symptoms. There were no technical or major problems which resulted from the procedure, and no patient complained of severe pain or severe discomfort after the procedure. From the total of 81 BBD sessions, no in-hospital mortality is related to the procedure itself, and ICU stay ranged between 1 and 5 days post-procedure. Among those 40 patients, 16 patients (40%) needed one session, 10 patients (25%) needed two sessions, 8 patients (20%) needed three sessions, and 6 patients (15%) needed more than three sessions of balloon dilatation. Balloon tracheoplasty is a simple, safe method and could be a promising and effective approach that offers immediate symptomatic relief for tracheal stenosis in cases with a history of prolonged intubation. It is worth mentioning that BBD is considered as a temporary measure, and most of the cases will need definitive or additional treatment either resection or stent placement.

中文翻译：

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长期插管后气管狭窄的球囊气管成形术：一个简单的程序，但它有效吗？

长时间插管后气管狭窄是一个相对罕见但严重的问题。这种情况通常通过手术或内窥镜干预来管理。用于气管狭窄的支气管镜球囊扩张被认为是用于管理气管狭窄的有价值的工具。在本文中，我们尝试评估球囊气管成形术在气管狭窄管理中的作用，并评估通常需要的扩张次数以及中短期结果。这项研究涉及 2013 年 1 月至 2018 年 8 月在沙特阿拉伯利雅得安全部队医院通过计算机断层扫描（颈部和胸部）和支气管镜检查诊断出的 40 名气管狭窄患者。回顾性地审查和分析了患者的数据。患者的年龄介于 18 至 60 岁之间。30 名患者为男性 (75%)；这些患者通过在纤维支气管镜引导下使用导管球囊充气扩张狭窄区域进行球囊气管成形术。95% 的患者初步成功，狭窄区域扩张可接受，症状改善。没有因手术导致技术或重大问题，也没有患者抱怨手术后的剧烈疼痛或严重不适。在总共 81 次 BBD 治疗中，没有院内死亡率与手术本身相关，ICU 停留时间为手术后 1 至 5 天。在这40名患者中，16名患者（40%）需要一次，10名患者（25%）需要两次，8名患者（20%）需要三次，6名患者（15%）需要超过三次球囊扩张. 球囊气管成形术很简单，安全的方法，并且可能是一种有前途和有效的方法，可以立即缓解气管狭窄在有长期插管史的情况下的症状。值得一提的是，BBD 被认为是一种临时措施，大多数情况下需要明确或额外的治疗，无论是切除还是放置支架。