Airway reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed to widen your windpipe to make breathing easier. During this procedure, a small piece of cartilage (connective tissue found in many areas of your body), is inserted into the narrowed section of the windpipe to make it wider.
Full recovery may take a few weeks to several months. In the weeks following surgery, the doctor performs regular endoscopic exams to check the progression of airway healing. Speech therapy may be recommended to help with any voice or swallowing problems.
The different types of medical devices used to maintain or open an individual's airway include the oropharyngeal airway (OPA), nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), and endotracheal airway (ETA).