title: Management of persistent tracheal stoma.
abstract: A rare late complication of tracheostomy is persistence of the stoma after removal of the tracheostomy tube. This article reviews the indications for surgical repair and outlines two alternative approaches to surgical management of this problem.
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgery Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Blake 1570. Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: K Robert
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mathisen
mesh_terms: D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014945:Wound Healing