title: Carbon dioxide laser stomaplasty for tracheostomal stenosis.
abstract: A method of treating tracheostomal stenosis post-laryngectomy is described. The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to fashion and ablate two triangular areas lateral to the stenosed stoma to provide an immediate enlarged stoma for comfortable breathing. This simple procedure is done under local anaesthesia, is almost bloodless, safe and takes just 10 minutes. Over the last five years eight patients underwent this procedure and seven had a satisfactory stoma without the need to use a tracheostomy tube.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. sani@medic.ukm.my
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*