Severe tracheal stenosis after brief endotracheal intubation.

The most serious complication of endotracheal intubation is ischemic mucosal necrosis and subsequent stenosis caused by excessive cuff pressure. An instance of tracheal stenosis occurring after only 72 hours of intubation is presented. Resection of the stenotic segment with primary end-to-end anastomosis was curative. There has been no recurrence after six months.