Permanent tracheostomy.

A technique designed to create a permanent, wide open, and stable tracheal stoma is based on two corresponding U-shaped flaps: one from the anterior tracheal wall, the other from the skin in the suprasternal notch. The method described in this article has proved to be efficient, practical, well tolerated, and readily reversible. Its applications when indicated may reduce the side effects and complications associated with tracheostomy. Our clinical experience with this technique covers eight patients who tolerated the procedure well. The follow-up period exceeds 2 years.