Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

An audit of Bjork flap tracheostomies in head and neck plastic surgery

1996; Elsevier BV; Volume: 34; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0266-4356(96)90134-5

1532-1940

Charles M. Malata, I.T.H. Foo, K.H. Simpson, A.G. Batchelor,

Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques

Patients undergoing head and neck surgery for malignancy especially resection of parts of the upper aerodigestive tracts need a secure airway intra- and postoperatively. A tracheostomy is an effective method of achieving this objective. In our unit the Björk flap technique1 has been the preferred type of tracheostomy. Ninety-five consecutive Björk flap tracheostomies performed by one surgeon preceding major head and neck resection for malignancy in patients aged 17-79 years (median = 61 years) were retrospectively evaluated. The technique was quick and provided a secure airway. The tracheostomy tubes were left in situ for a median of 5 days (range 1-17 days). After extubation subsequent stoma closure was uneventful, 60% healing within 1 week. No patient developed tracheal fistula, clinical tracheal stenosis or cosmetically unacceptable scarring. There was no tracheostomy-related mortality. It is concluded that the Björk flap tracheostomy technique can be safely used in head and neck cancer surgery in adults.