Long-term results with a simple technique of stoma creation after laryngectomy.
Stomal stenosis after laryngectomy has a major impact on patient rehabilitation. The major contributory factor is the operative technique. The goal is to achieve a widely patent stoma. The objective of the study was to review the long-term results of the technique of stoma creation used by the senior author (CJW). The simple technique, using skin triangles for tracheostoma creation after laryngectomy, has been used by the senior author for past 6 years. Review of 59 cases of total laryngectomy with or without partial pharyngectomies in whom this technique was used for stomaplasty. The technique described for stoma creation after total laryngectomy has been used in 59 patients (48 male, 11 female) over 6 years. The follow-up of these patients varies from 6 months to 6 years. Of these patients 54/59 (91.5%) did not have any problems with the stoma. A total of 5/59 (8.5%) patients, the stoma was narrow. Amongst these patients with narrow stoma, only 1 patient (1.7%) has had dilatation done and the others are managing reasonably with a stoma button. None of the patients in this study has required revision procedures on the stoma. The simple technique of stoma creation described in this study has good long-term results.