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Dilatation Tracheal
Tracheal Dilatation is an endoscopic procedure performed by a pulmonologist or thoracic surgeon to widen a narrowed trachea (windpipe) — immediately improving breathing, relieving stridor, and restoring a safe airway in patients with tracheal stenosis, without the need for major surgery in most cases.
Overview
Key Benefits
Discover the advantages of choosing our dilatation tracheal services.
Immediate improvement in breathing and exercise tolerance noticed on recovery from anaesthesia
Avoids open tracheal surgery for most benign post-intubation or post-tracheostomy stenoses
Short procedure time with same-day or next-day discharge for most patients
Procedure can be safely repeated as stenosis recurs without cumulative harm
Bridge to definitive tracheal resection in patients who are candidates for surgical cure
Clinical Features
The technology, techniques and clinical approach behind our dilatation tracheal.
CT airway 3D reconstruction guides precise dilatation planning and diameter target setting
Full emergency airway team and equipment present throughout the procedure
Sequential rigid bronchoscope dilatation provides progressive controlled widening
Balloon bronchoplasty delivers precise measurable dilatation under fluoroscopic guidance
Post-dilatation bronchoscopy confirms airway diameter improvement before procedure ends
Preparation Instructions
After Tracheal Dilatation, rest the voice and avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours to allow the dilated tracheal mucosa to heal without additional trauma. Attend follow-up bronchoscopy at 4 to 6 weeks to assess the durability of the dilatation result and plan repeat dilatation or definitive surgical resection if stenosis recurs. Contact your pulmonologist immediately for worsening breathlessness, return of stridor, or any acute respiratory difficulty after discharge — tracheal re-stenosis can occur and requires prompt reassessment.
The Procedure
Step-by-step guide to what you can expect during your dilatation tracheal procedure.
CT Airway Reconstruction and Planning
Your pulmonologist reviews the CT airway reconstruction to precisely measure the stenosis length, location, and severity — confirming the dilatation approach and estimating the expected improvement in airway diameter before the procedure begins.
Emergency Airway Preparation
Before general anaesthesia is induced, all emergency airway equipment — including rigid bronchoscopes, jet ventilation, and emergency tracheostomy kit — is confirmed immediately available. An experienced airway anaesthesiologist is present throughout.
Rigid Bronchoscope Advancement to the Stenosis
The rigid bronchoscope is advanced under direct vision to the stenosis. The scope itself acts as the first dilatation instrument — progressively larger bronchoscopes are passed through the stricture to mechanically widen the airway.
Balloon Bronchoplasty Across the Stenosis
A balloon catheter is advanced under fluoroscopic guidance to the stenosis and inflated to the planned pressure and diameter for 60 seconds — providing controlled, measurable dilation of the scarred tracheal wall under precise radiological monitoring.
Post-Dilatation Bronchoscopic Assessment
The bronchoscope is advanced past the dilated stenosis and the airway is assessed — measuring the new diameter, confirming mucosal integrity, and checking for any haemorrhage or complication before the scope is withdrawn.
Recovery and Breathing Assessment
Most patients notice dramatically improved breathing within minutes of waking from anaesthesia. Oxygen saturation and respiratory comfort are monitored in the recovery room before discharge. Follow-up bronchoscopy at 4 to 6 weeks assesses durability.
What to Expect
Tracheal Dilatation is performed under general anaesthesia with spontaneous or jet ventilation and takes 45 to 60 minutes. The rigid bronchoscope is advanced past the stenosis under direct vision, progressively widening the narrowed segment, and a balloon may be deployed across the stenosis for controlled dilatation. The result is confirmed endoscopically before the bronchoscope is withdrawn. Most patients are extubated immediately after the procedure and experience immediate improvement in breathing before leaving the recovery room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dilatation tracheal.
Related Services
Explore other services in our Pulmonology department.
Flexible Bronchoscopy
EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound)
Thoracocentesis
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