· Nearly 90% airway blockage successfully treated using advanced rigid bronchoscopy and silicone stenting
· Patient regains speech and normal breathing after months of tracheostomy dependence and multiple failed tube removal attempts
A 60-year-old patient who had been struggling to breathe and unable to speak comfortably for several months following spinal surgery regained his voice and normal breathing after undergoing a highly specialised minimally invasive airway intervention at CARE Hospitals, Hitech City.
The patient, a Hyderabad resident, had earlier undergone spinal surgery following an accident, after which a tracheostomy procedure was performed to support breathing during recovery. The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is the main airway that carries air to the lungs. However, repeated attempts to remove the tracheostomy tube over the following weeks were unsuccessful, leaving the patient dependent on assisted airway support and significantly affecting his ability to speak and breathe normally.
Following repeated unsuccessful attempts to remove the tracheostomy tube and persistent breathing difficulty, the patient was referred to the Pulmonology team at CARE Hospitals, Hitech City for further evaluation. A detailed bronchoscopy examination revealed severe tracheal stenosis, a critical narrowing of the windpipe, with nearly 90% airway blockage, a potentially life-threatening condition that can occasionally develop in patients requiring prolonged airway support or ventilation.
Following stabilisation, the multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Sathish C Reddy, Senior Consultant – Clinical & Interventional Pulmonologist, and Dr. M Abdul Amjad Khan, Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgery, performed a complex rigid bronchoscopy procedure using advanced electro-cautery knife techniques and CRE balloon dilatation to carefully reopen the critically narrowed airway. To prevent recurrence and maintain long-term airway patency, a silicone stent was subsequently deployed.
The advanced minimally invasive procedure helped avoid major open airway surgery and resulted in immediate improvement in the patient’s breathing. Soon after the intervention, the patient was able to speak comfortably again and breathe normally without distress, significantly improving his overall quality of life.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Sathish C Reddy, Senior Consultant – Clinical & Interventional Pulmonologist, said, “Tracheal stenosis is a serious but often under-recognised complication in patients requiring prolonged airway support. In this patient, the airway had narrowed almost completely, severely affecting both breathing and speech. In severe tracheal stenosis, even a small delay can turn into a breathing emergency. Using advanced interventional pulmonology techniques, we were able to restore the airway through a minimally invasive approach without the need for major open surgery. Early diagnosis and timely bronchoscopic intervention can make a life-changing difference for such patients.”
The case highlights the expanding role of advanced bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology in avoiding complex airway surgery and improving outcomes in patients with critical respiratory disorders.
