Experiences with prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea and bifurcation.

Extensive tracheal resections were performed to avoid imminent asphyxia in nine patients. Airway continuity was restored with either a straight or a bifurcated Neville prosthesis. One patient had progressive perichondritis and the remaining eight had advanced malignancy. Three patients died of complications due to the prosthesis, 15 days, seven months, and 10 months after operation. Five patients from their underlying disease and one patient is alive 13 months after reconstruction.