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Open research questions in Tracheal and airway disorders

132 gap statements mined from Tracheal and airway disorders papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 926 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • Diagnosing endobronchial metastasis from HCC can be challenging due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms. Current treatment strategies have limited efficacy, and there is a need for alternative approaches. Balancing radical disease control with organ preservation is a challenge in the management of patients with endobronchial metastasis from HCC.

    Sleeve Resection of the Right Upper Lobe for Tracheobronchial Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Superior Vena Cava Involvement: A Case Report and Literature Review · 2026 · DOI

  • Larger, multicenter studies with extended follow-up are needed to firmly establish the long-term efficacy and safety of sleeve resection for endobronchial metastasis from HCC. Further research is needed to identify the optimal treatment approach for patients with solitary endobronchial metastasis from HCC.

    Sleeve Resection of the Right Upper Lobe for Tracheobronchial Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Superior Vena Cava Involvement: A Case Report and Literature Review · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tuberculosis. Current medical practice may not adequately address the needs of patients with tracheobronchial tuberculosis.

    [Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (2025 Edition)]. · 2026 · DOI

  • The sample size was relatively modest and originated from only two institutions. The validation cohort was derived from the same two institutions as the training cohort, which may affect generalizability. The study scope was limited to hospitalized patients, lacking data from home care and community settings.

    Establishment and evaluation of a predictive scoring system for successful decannulation of tracheostomy in neurosurgery patients · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for effective treatment options for bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis. Traditional surgical approaches may not be suitable for all patients.

    Bronşektaziye Bağlı Hemoptizide Parankim Koruyucu Hibrit VATS: Eş Zamanlı Lingulektomi ve Sol Alt Lob Multibazal Segmentektomi Uygulanan Bir Olgu · 2026 · DOI

  • Future work should prioritise the development of a unified classification system that integrates embryological findings with modern imaging capabilities. A central step will be establishing a single, consensus terminology, endorsed jointly by anatomical, radiological, surgical and interventional societies.

    Anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk: a scoping review of classification systems · 2026 · DOI

  • As this report describes a single case, the generalizability of these findings remains limited, and further experience is required to determine the role of THRIVE in similar high-risk airway situations.

    Airway Management Using Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange for Critical Distal Tracheal Stenosis Caused by a Massive Goiter: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • Although THRIVE has been used in a variety of difficult airway scenarios, its effectiveness in the setting of severe distal tracheal stenosis remains incompletely defined.

    Airway Management Using Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange for Critical Distal Tracheal Stenosis Caused by a Massive Goiter: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of a universally accepted protocol for decannulation in pediatric patients with airway burns. Current practice varies and relies on multiple clinical factors.

    Airway Burns and Pediatric Tracheostomy Decannulation: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • There are many known widening procedures, but the optimal approach has not been identified. The long-term impact of tracheostomy on quality of life has led to the development of transoral glottic-widening procedures.

    Anaesthetic management in coblation- Assisted posterior cordectomy for chronic bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis: A case report · 2026 · DOI

  • The diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsy using flexible bronchoscopy combined with radial endobronchial ultrasound remains low when the target lesion is not visible. There is a need for a method to improve access to peripheral pulmonary lesions.

    Effectiveness of Balloon Dilatation for Bronchoscope Delivery Using the SUKEDACHI Balloon with an Ultrathin Bronchoscope for Subpleural Pulmonary Nodule Diagnosis: A Case Series of Three Patients · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should include larger multicentric studies with longer follow-up periods. Evaluating preventive strategies such as humidification therapy, nasal saline irrigation, and mucosal protective agents may help reduce mucosal damage.

    A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE SEQUELAE OF LONGTERM TRACHEOSTOMY ON NASAL MUCOSA · 2026 · DOI

  • Several limitations of the present study should be acknowledged. Second, the computational framework was intentionally limited to the initial postdeployment stage, since the primary objective of this work was to investigate how stent geometry, material properties and design parameters influence the initial mechanical environment experienced by the tracheal wall.

    A Computational Framework for the Design and Mechanical Assessment of Biodegradable Airway Stents: Interaction with Rabbit Tracheal Tissue and Preliminary In Vivo Observations · 2026 · DOI

  • Changes in the PAS among patients with oral cancer undergoing microvascular reconstruction remain insufficiently investigated. The impact of radiotherapy on changes in PAS volume is not well understood. The study of potential influencing factors, such as defect type, and reconstruction method, on changes in PAS volume is limited.

    Posterior airway space following mandibular reconstruction using microvascular free flaps in oral cancer patients in relation to radiotherapy: a single-center study · 2026 · DOI

  • Although previous studies have demonstrated significant alterations in the PAS following oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures, changes in the PAS among patients with oral cancer undergoing microvascular reconstruction remain insufficiently investigated.

    Posterior airway space following mandibular reconstruction using microvascular free flaps in oral cancer patients in relation to radiotherapy: a single-center study · 2026 · DOI

  • The availability of FOB is limited, even in operating rooms. Cognitive biases, particularly anchoring bias, may have contributed to delays in recognizing the true cause of the ventilation failure.

    Management of a “Can Intubate, Can’t Ventilate” Airway Post-tracheostomy: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • The literature on intubation post-tracheostomy is limited. There is a need for more research on the use of FOB in managing difficult airways.

    Management of a “Can Intubate, Can’t Ventilate” Airway Post-tracheostomy: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • Risk factors for prolonged tracheostomy dependence and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube requirement after isolated tongue reconstruction remain poorly defined.

    Clinical Factors Influencing Postoperative Airway and Nutritional Management After Microvascular Tongue Reconstruction for Oral Cancer · 2026 · DOI

  • Our findings revealed distinct immune and ECM signatures associated with clinical complications identify potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets, particularly relevant for COPD patients in whom current anti-inflammatory strategies are insufficient.

    Immunophenotypic and structural signatures of severe granulation tissue in airway implant patients · 2026 · DOI

  • Bronchoscopic guidance is commonly used during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PCT) despite limited and conflicting evidence; this study aimed to evaluate whether bronchoscopy improves the safety of PCT in mechanically ventilated patients.

    The impact of bronchoscopy on the safety of percutaneous tracheostomy: a randomized controlled trial · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of studies investigating the association between SSAV and the onset of LRTI in head and neck cancer patients with tracheostomy. The current study fills this gap by investigating the association between SSAV and LRTI and constructing a predictive model for LRTI.

    Risk factors analysis and prediction model construction of LRTI in head and neck cancer patients with tracheostomy based on subglottic sputum aspiration volume · 2026 · DOI

  • Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) is an underrecognized cause of chronic respiratory symptoms and is frequently presents with clinical manifestations such as cough, wheezing and exertional dyspnoea.

    The hidden airway: central airway collapse mimicking obstructive lung disease · 2026 · DOI

  • The study had a small sample size of 50 patients. The study had a limited follow-up period of four weeks.

    A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE SEQUELAE OF LONGTERM TRACHEOSTOMY ON NASAL MUCOSA · 2026 · DOI

  • Finally, the follow-up period was limited to 72 h, so longer-term outcomes such as restenosis, repeated intervention, quality of life, mucosal healing, infection, and survival could not be assessed; mucosal edema and bleeding were also evaluated using semi-quantitative bronchoscopic scales, which may introduce observer variability.

    Local methylprednisolone irrigation and tolerability after PTS-based bronchoscopic treatment for malignant central airway obstruction: a retrospective study · 2026 · DOI

  • Das Bronchialkarzinom ist nach wie vor weltweit die häufigste krebsbedingte Todesursache - Eine Untergruppe von Patienten mit nichtkleinzelligem Bronchialkarzinom (NSCLC) im Stadium IV, bei denen die Metastasen auf die Lunge beschränkt sind, stirbt trotz gezielter Therapie, Immuntherapie und anderer systemischer Behandlungsschemata häufig…

    Lungentransplantation bei therapieresistentem, auf die Lunge beschränktem nichtkleinzelligem Bronchialkarzinom im Stadium IV · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Tracheal and airway disorders

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) Current treatment strategies have limited efficacy, and there is a need for alternative approaches (“Sleeve Resection of the Right Upper Lobe for Tracheobronchial Metastasis of…”, 2026); (2) There is a need for comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (“[Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tuberculosis…”, 2026); (3) There is a need for effective treatment options for bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis (“Bronşektaziye Bağlı Hemoptizide Parankim Koruyucu Hibrit VATS: Eş Zamanlı…”, 2026); (4) Future work should prioritise the development of a unified classification system that integrates embryological findings with modern imaging capabilities (“Anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk: a scoping review of classification…”, 2026); (5) There is a lack of a universally accepted protocol for decannulation in pediatric patients with airway burns (“Airway Burns and Pediatric Tracheostomy Decannulation: A Case Report”, 2026). 132 gap statements have been mined from Tracheal and airway disorders papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 926 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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