피대근 피판술을 이용한 기관피부누공 치료

The tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) may develop as a complication after tracheostomy. It occurs secondary to epithelial growth into the tracheostomy tract that prevents closure and healing. Surgical techniques for TCF repair is primary suture, fistulectomy and primary suture, TCF excision and secondary union. But, we used a simple technique that utilizes the fistula tract and sternohyoid muscle flap to facilitate closure of large TCF. The advantage of this method is avoiding the complication generally associated with the closure of such defect and also the morbidity of waiting for secondary closure to occur. So we report this case with a review of literature. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2006;17:240-243)