As long-term tracheostomy becomes a more common procedure, the need has arisen for a means of maintaining stoma patency. This article presents a new self-retained physiologic prosthesis intended for use as a stoma stent in long-term tracheostomy. It may also be applied in a wide range of short-term conditions. The concepts and techniques of long-term tracheostomy are highlighted. Experience in applying this stent in 75 patients with a followup of more than 28 months is presented.
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