title: [Reduction of Tracheotomy Associated Tracheal Stenosis by Surgical Closure of the Tracheostomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common long-term complication of tracheotomy is the benign stenosis of the trachea, which is described for up to 20% of the cases. Typically, the stenosis occurs after decannulation in the context of secondary wound healing. This study examined whether the closure of the tracheostomy by surgical procedure reduces stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the help of our clinical database a retrospective analysis of 401 surgical tracheotomies was performed. Variables that were recorded were the indication for tracheotomy, the clinical course and complications occurred.
  
  
  RESULTS
  155 patients were successfully decannulated. In 92 of these patients the tracheostomy was closed by a surgical procedure, in 63 cases the closure occurred spontaneously by wound healing. After decannulation 3% (n=3) of the surgically closed and 22% (n=14) of the spontaneously closed tracheostomies developed a symptomatic tracheal stenosis (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Secondary wound healing of the tracheostomy often leads to symptomatic tracheal stenosis. The incidence of symptomatic tracheal stenosis was significantly reduced applying closure of the tracheostomy by surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-Pastorini
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kraja
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plönes
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Storre
authors.affiliation: RehaNova Neurologische/Neurochirurgische Rehabilitationsklinik Köln GmbH.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rommel
authors.affiliation: RehaNova Neurologische/Neurochirurgische Rehabilitationsklinik Köln GmbH.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riecker
authors.affiliation: Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Private Universität Witten/Herdecke.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stoelben
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014945:Wound Healing