Superiorly based tracheostomal flap to counteract tracheal stenosis: Experimental study

A superiorly based tracheal flap raised from the anterior tracheal wall was rotated anteriorly and superiorly to be sutured to the subcutaneous tissues. A series of 16 tracheostomies were performed on mongrel dogs. The stenosing effects of conventionally performed operations were compared to those of the new method. Autopsy sections of the post‐tracheostomy sites demonstrated a significant loss of anteroposterior diameter averaging 16.5% as compared to the original unoperated‐on luminae. No signs of tracheal stenosis were found whenever the proposed new technique was employed. This technique seems applicable to patients in whom assisted ventilation is contemplated.