Question 1

What questions should I ask my doctor if he suggests I get the Airway Reconstruction surgery done?

Accepted Answer

The mistake that most patients make is they only ask some of their questions with the fear that they may sound stupid. This should never be done; you should be open with your doctor and tell him about your concerns regarding the procedure. You should discuss everything. You should ask about the Airway Reconstruction cost, the procedure duration, and which technique will be used. You can ask specific questions about post-surgery, such as Airway Reconstruction surgery exercises you can safely do after surgery. The key is to understand the procedure completely before you go for the surgery.

You should ask any question you think is worth asking. Your doctor will answer your questions, provided you ask him whatever you need an answer for. Don't forget to ask your doctor about your hospital stay, recovery, and any other suggestions that he may want to give.

Question 2

How do I know whether I have airway obstruction or not?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms will depend on the airway obstruction you have. You might experience a lot of problems with breathing. You might suffer from sleep apnea. You might notice that your voice has become hoarse. You might have a tough time eating and swallowing. Even when you try to swallow drinks, you have trouble doing that. If you think you have airway obstruction and you might need surgery, then it is best that you speak to a pulmonology specialist right away. He can make the proper diagnosis and then suggest a treatment plan accordingly. Remember to ask all the questions during your appointment with your doctor.

Question 3

What tests are performed before the surgery?

Accepted Answer

The goal of the tests is for your doctor to understand all your medical conditions and determine whether changes need to be made to the surgery plan. These tests also help your doctor determine the right course of action post-surgery. The following are some of the tests that can be performed.

Evaluating your voice is done to see whether you are having problems when talking. This helps your doctor determine the best treatment plan for you.
Pulmonary function tests determine if you can handle airway reconstruction surgery.
pH probe studies are done to see if stomach acid is returning to the airway and the oesophagus.
An endoscopic exam is performed to determine the airway's narrowness. Your doctor might also recommend gastrointestinal endoscopy to obtain a clear view of the stomach and oesophagus.
CT scans and MRI exams may be performed to provide detailed images of the airway passage and correctly examine the lungs.
Sleep studies are performed to see whether the airway obstruction is causing any disturbance when you sleep.
Your doctor might perform tests to determine whether you have problems swallowing when you eat or drink.

Question 4

My doctor said I must have other surgeries before the Airway Reconstruction surgery. Why is that?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor might decide that other types of surgeries need to be performed before you have an Airway Reconstruction surgery. The following are three surgeries, out of which your doctor might recommend one or more to be performed.

Nissen fundoplication is used to treat GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. This surgery helps to prevent the acid in the stomach from coming up through the oesophagus. GERD leads to inflammation, which causes the airway to become narrow.
Tonsillectomy, also known as adenoidectomy, involves removing tonsils or adenoids. Sometimes, tonsils or adenoids swell due to infection, which can lead to airway blockage, which is why surgery may be necessary.
Supraglottoplasty is a surgery that helps repair the larynx, the voice box. It can be necessary when the larynx tissue has partially collapsed. The obstructing tissue is removed.

Question 5

I heard that a laser can be used in airway reconstruction surgery. What is that?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor can recommend using a laser to treat the narrowing of your airway. The laser treatment method makes cuts in the areas that have narrowed. Then, the damaged trachea section is removed. The healthy bits of the trachea are then attached. This can be done with the help of a balloon, which widens the area. This helps to restore airway flow, and you can breathe as usual. Whether you are eligible for this procedure depends on the results of the tests your doctor will perform, such as a bronchoscopy. It will depend on your medical history as well.

Question 6

How long does a tracheal resection take?

Accepted Answer

Children with scarring within their trachea need tracheal resection. The child’s neck is immobilised in a flexed position for one to two weeks, and the breathing tube is removed two to seven days after the surgery. The removal of the breathing tube depends on the child's condition. The procedure may take anywhere from four to seven hours.

Approximately a week after the surgery, the child needs to go for a follow-up visit to the hospital for a micro laryngoscopy bronchoscopy to evaluate the healing process.

Question 7

What can cause the narrowing of the trachea?

Accepted Answer

The narrowing or constriction of the trachea is called tracheal stenosis. Most cases of tracheal stenosis are caused by an injury from prolonged intubation when a breathing tube is placed into the trachea. The breathing tube is inserted during a medical procedure and when the trachea is surgically opened through a tracheostomy process.

Narrowing of the trachea can occur due to several causes, such as:

External injury to the throat
Autoimmune disorders include sarcoidosis, polychondritis, papillomatosis, amyloidosis, or Wegener's granulomatosis.
Bacterial and fungal infections
Tuberculosis
A benign or malignant tumour pressing on the windpipe.

Tracheal stenosis may also result as a side effect when radiation therapy is used to treat a tumour in the head or neck.

Question 8

What is the standard treatment for tracheal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

In cases where tracheal stenosis results from an underlying medical condition, the doctor will focus on the other issues before treating tracheal stenosis. Surgery may be the preferred option depending on the location and extent of the stenosis. Some of the standard surgical options include:

Tracheal resection and reconstruction: In this procedure, the constricted section of the windpipe is removed, and the ends are re-joined.

Tracheal laser surgery: Lasers remove the scar tissue causing the stenosis. However, in some cases, they may worsen the stenosis. Therefore, the underlying disorder must be first identified before going for laser surgery to treat tracheal stenosis. Laser surgery can offer good short-term results and temporary relief but isn't a long-term solution.

Tracheal dilation: Tracheal dilation involves using balloons or tracheal dilators to widen the trachea. It offers temporary relief and enables doctors to identify the area of the trachea affected by the stenosis.

Tracheobronchial airway stent: Here, a metal, silicone or hybrid tube called a tracheal stent is placed at the site of the stenosis to keep the airway open. These stents are for both long-term and short-term use.

Question 9

Who is at risk for an airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Usually, children are more likely to have airway obstruction by foreign objects than adults. They may stick toys or small objects in their noses or mouths and not chew food well before swallowing. Other risk factors may include:

Congenital disabilities or inherited diseases that can cause airway disorders
Allergies to insect stings or certain foods such as peanuts
Smoking
Neuromuscular disorders and other conditions that make it challenging for people to swallow food properly.

Question 10

What are the symptoms of airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Different causes may produce different symptoms of airway obstruction. The symptoms also depend on the location of the obstruction. Some of them are:

Confusion
Cyanosis
Agitation
Panic
Difficulty breathing
Gasping for air
Unconsciousness

Question 11

How can you prevent an airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Many types of airway obstructions can be prevented by taking the following steps:

Eat slowly and take small bites of food
Avoid heavy consumption of alcohol before eating
Younger children may need supervising while they are eating
Chew thoroughly before swallowing
Keep small objects that could choke the trachea of children away from them
Quit smoking
If you have a condition that may lead to chronic airway obstruction, you must visit your doctor regularly.

Airway Reconstruction Surgery: