Evaluation of plethysmography findings as a diagnostic method for patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS) (original) (raw)

European Respiratory Journal, 2011

Abstract

Introduction: PITS is a serious disease can caused many diagnostic problems. It caused by cuff pressure during tracheal intubation. Generally, invasive diagnostic methods, based on fiber-optic or rigid bronchoscopy, are suggested for initial treatments. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the plethysmography findings, as a diagnostic method for PITS; and assess the relationship between plethysmography and bronchoscopy findings in patients with PITS. Methods: The sample included 30 patients, who were admitted to an ICU or in a surgical ward during the course of a year and had been diagnosed with PITS. All patients after taken an history underwent plethysmography and then rigid bronchoscopy; and the relation between plethysmography and bronchoscopy findings was able to be examined. Results: Regarding the relationship of the variables under evaluation by bronchoscopy with plethysmography findings, stricture intensity had the highest correlation with SRaw (resistance of upper airways) with a p-value=0.001.The relationship of the length of stricture with FEV1, MEF 50 and MEF 75 was significant (P-value = 0.039, 0.042 and 0.036 respectively) in the univariate and with RV% and TLC% in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Significant relationships were found between plethysmography and rigid bronchoscopy findings in patients with PITS; some statistical formulas were developed which allow medical practitioners additional opportunities to estimate the stricture intensity without bronchoscopy. Other significant relationships were also found - regarding the length of stricture - which affirmed the effectiveness of plethysmography for evaluation of patients with PITS.

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