Tracheotomy-related posterior tracheal wall rupture, trans-tracheal repair

Laceration of the membranous part of the tracheo-bronchial tree is a rare complication that can occur after single lumen intubation, double-lumen intubation, percutaneous and surgical tracheotomy. The case of a 76-year-old male is presented in whom a posterior tracheal wall laceration, related to tracheotomy, was diagnosed and immediately treated at the end of a head and neck operation. A 6 cm long laceration started 1.5 cm below the tracheotomy level and ended 2 cm above the carina. The tear was closed from distal to proximal area via the tracheotomy opening with PDS 4/0 interrupted sutures using a thoracoscopic needle-holder. This original surgical technique is described in detail. In tracheotomy related tears, the fact that an opening in the trachea already exists and that the lesion rarely extends beyond the carina, should guide the surgeon to make every effort to repair the laceration through this already existing access