Persistent tracheostomy stoma.

Prolonged presence of a tracheostomy tube or prolonged tracheostomy stoma can result in a failure of spontaneous closure. The stoma may remain open until surgically closed. Muscle flaps as well as skin flaps can be used to close the persistent tracheostomy stoma. These flaps seal the stoma, provide soft tissue between the trachea and the skin, and allow a satisfactory cosmetic result. The sternohyoid muscle is readily accessible for this purpose. This procedure was used in five patients with a satisfactory result in each.