Surgery of the extrathoracic trachea

The trachea extends from the cricoid cartilage of the larynx to the carina at the level of the heart base, where it divides to form the mainstem bronchi. This chapter covers anatomy and physiology, indications for surgery of the extrathoracic trachea, tracheal trauma, tracheostomy, tracheal collapse syndrome, masses causing tracheal obstruction, segmental tracheal stenosis, and tracheal resection and anastomosis.