Long-term tracheal dimensions after flap tracheostomy.

A group of patients was examined after decannulation from long-term tracheostomies, using either a vertical incision or inverted-flap tracheal opening. Comparisons of the diameters of the tracheal lumen show no substantive loss at the tracheal stoma after the flap tracheostomy. These results are superior to those of patients having the vertical incision. Further merit of the flap tracheostomy is shown by these data.