Two Cases of Post-traumatic Bronchial Stenosis Diagnosed by Flexible Bronchoscopy

ABSTRACT

Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. It may be followed by bronchial stenosis and subsequent atelectasis. We reviewed two patients with traumatic tracheobronchial injuries sustained after vehicular accident. Bronchial stenosis was suspected due to atelectasis which was first detected 5 days and 11 days after the accident, respectively. They didn't respond to conservative management such as chest physiotherapy for about 2 weeks. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy confirmed bronchial stenosis at the left main bronchus in one patient and at the left upper lobe bronchus in the other. The stenotic bronchi were corrected by resection and end-to-end anastomosis, and bronchoscopy performed postoperatively showed good repair. The patients were discharged without complications. Flexible bronchoscopy is useful and reliable in children as well as in adults for early diagnosis of traumatic tracheobronchial injuries. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis is successful in these cases.