Abstract

PASSOS DA ROCHA, F.  and  FRANCHINI TORRES, V.. Surgical repair of tracheocutaneous fistulae and postracheotomy scar using a dermoadipose turn-over flap. Cir. plást. iberolatinoam. [online]. 2009, vol.35, n.1, pp.85-88. ISSN 1989-2055.

Tracheocutaneous fistulas and scar retraction are frequent complications of the tracheotomy. The objective of the present manuscript is to present an easy execution surgical technique to restore tracheocutaneous fistula and cutaneous retraction. We present the clinical case of a 61 years old man who had suffered tracheotomy. After decannulation, the scar became retracted and adhered to deep tissues, developing into a tracheocutaneous fistula. The fistula was closed repairing the functional defect and a turn-over hinge flap of dermoadipose tissue was used to fill the retracted area, correcting the aesthetic abnormality. Correction of cicatricial retraction and of tracheocutaneous fistula using the hinge rotation of a dermoadipose flap tissue acted guarantying aesthetical and functional restoration. A cutaneous-hipodermical retraction is aesthetically uncomfortable and causes an stigma to the patient. Tracheocutaneous fistulas with air escape are unpleasant from the functional and aesthetical points of view. This procedure corrects the fistulae and the depression caused by the prolonged tracheotomy using a simple, fast and effective method. The procedure supplies the difficulties found in other techniques, guarantying functional and aesthetic correction through a simple method which has low morbidity.

Keywords : Tracheostomy; Tracheocutaneous fistulae.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish | Portuguese     · Spanish ( pdf ) | Portuguese ( pdf )