Stenoses of trachea after cannulation represent severe, life-threatening complications of tracheal intubation and trachemostomy. In connection with extending intensive and resuscitation care there incidence is on the increase. In the years 2004-2006, 15 patients with post-cannulation stenosis, 11 of them men and 4 women at the average age of 59 years, were diagnosed and treated at the Na Homolce Hospital in Prague. The patients were generally critically ill with application of artificial ventilation and trachemostomy. Stenoses were diagnoses after the removal od cannula with the average time lapse of 141 days in s.c. volitional interval. The stenoses were localized in the subglottic space six times and nine times in the area of trachemostomy or distal end of cannula. The dilatation was performed in 7 patients, dilatation with the administration of stent in three patients and the stenosis segment was resected and anastomosis end to end was created in 6 patients. Re-stenosis developed in one patient to be subsequently treated by dilatation and introduction of a stent. Repeated tracheostomy and revision of tracheostomy for bleeding complications proved to be the most frequent causes of stenoses. Patients who were subjected to long-term intubation (>48 hours) and those after tracheostomy should be observed for long period of time and controlled by tracheobronchoscopy.

        Key words: stenosis of trachea, intubation, tracheostomy, dilatation, resection