title: Trichloroacetic Acid Chemocauterization: A Simple Method to Close Small Tracheocutaneous Fistula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of chemocauterization using trichloroacetic acid with or without suturing for the small tracheocutaneous fistula closure
  
  
  METHODS
  The Seoul National University Hospital database was analyzed retrospectively for 55 patients with a small tracheocutaneous fistula measuring less than 5 × 5 mm(2). Of these, 39 patients were treated by chemocauterization only, and 16 patients were treated by chemocauterization with suturing. Demographic, perioperative data, and treatment outcomes were evaluated for all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate of single trial was 56.4% (31/55), and the final success rate after repeated procedures if indicated was 80.0% (44/55). There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, cannulation period, fistula size, presence or absence of maturation suture during tracheostomy, number of procedures, and success rates. Interval between decannulation and procedure was significantly different among 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trichloroacetic acid chemocauterization could be a simple, noninvasive, and safe method to close small tracheocutaneous fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea jhunhah@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: J Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000072601:Cannula; D002424:Caustics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid
keywords: cautery; closure; tracheocutaneous fistula; tracheostomy; trichloroacetic acid