Tracheostomaplasty by partial resection of the cricoid cartilage

In cases of lower displacement of the larynx, higher displacement of the brachiocephalic artery, short neck, obesity and thyroid diseases, it is sometimes difficult to make a tracheostoma at the standard location. Tracheostomaplasty by resection of the anterior portion of the cricoid cartilage has been reported to be useful in such difficult cases. We compared early post-operative complication rates between 12 patients with tracheostomaplasty by resection of the anterior portion of the cricoid cartilage and 166 patients with standard tracheotomy. Major complications, including 18 patients (10.8%) with wound infection and necrosis around tracheostomas, were observed in the standard tracheotomy group. In the tracheostomaplasty group, however, serious early postoperative complications were not observed. It is considered that tracheostomaplasty by resection of the anterior portion of the cricoid cartilage is a safe surgical procedure that can be applied in cases in whom tracheotomy at the usual location is difficult.