• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.142-145
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• 1995

The tracheocutaneous fistula(TCF) may develop infrequently as a complication after tracheostomy. Prolonged tracheostomy tube dependence increases the risk of TCF developing, and in growth of stratified squamous epithelium lines the furrow connecting the tracheal mucosa and the skin, accounting for persistence of the fistulous tract. Such fistulas are a nuisance and create nursing and social problems including poor hygiene, aspiration, difficulty with speech, and depletion of pulmonary reserve. Surgical closure has generally been successful by primary closure, fistulectomy with primary closure, and closure by secondary intention following excision of the tracheocutaneous fistula. No large series compares the efficacy of these techniques and each has its own merits. Recent literature has purposed to minimizing complications. For ten years, from January 1985 to December 1994, the authors experienced 25 cases of TCF which were analyzed in respect to incidence and interval of cannulation, duration between decanulation and fistular closure, precedent disease, closure methods, and complications of TCF repair.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.174-177
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• 2001

Previously, we used a rigid bronchoscope in removal of endotracheal granulation tissue and foreign body. But these method has poor visual field and difficulty in handling of the instruments, therefore there were restriction in removing the endotracheal granulation tissue and foreign body. Recently we underwent one case each of endotracheal granulation tissue and foreign body causing dyspnea and removed them by right angled forceps under visualization via nasal rigid endoscope inserted through the tracheal stoma. We suggest this method for removal of tracheal foreign body, granulation tissue and excision of tumorous condition in patients with tracheocutaneous fistula.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.92-95
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• 2011

The anterior mediastinal tracheotomy(AMT) facilitates resection of stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy and tumors involving the cervicothoracic trachea and esophagus. An 81-year-old-man came to our clinic due to the progressive dyspnea during three months. He received the total laryngectomy five years ago. We diagnosed as Sisson type I stomal recurrence and then performed the wide excision, both selective neck dissection, sternal manubrium resection and AMT. Before surgery, we planned the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Unluckily we could not fulfill this procedure because of patient's medical status during anesthesia. The tracheocutaneous fistula was observed in the second postoperative day. He expired due to the huge bleeding from the wound. When AMT is performed, exact manipulation of major vessels and adequate flap are mandatory these elevate the feasibility of AMT.