PMC

Trachea and contralateral bronchus are anastomosed in an end-to-end fashion ().

Left-sided intrapericardial hilar release technique demonstrating the U-shaped pericardial incision to facilitate the creation of a tension-free anastomosis ().

Left carinal exposure through left thoracotomy. Tapes around distal trachea and RMB (). RMB, right main bronchus; LMB, left main bronchus.

Carinal reconstruction with extensive airway resection. The trachea can be anastomosed end to end with either the right or left main-stem bronchus, with the contralateral bronchus reimplanted into the side of the trachea ().

Creation of an end-to-end anastomosis between the trachea and the left main bronchus with reimplantation of the right main bronchus. Created opening is entirely in the cartilaginous wall to provide rigidity ().