Management of the post-tracheostomy scar.

Abstract

Tracheostomy scar management is aimed at filling lost deep tissue bulk, the correction of tracheal skin tug, and a tension-free closure that falls more naturally into the neck folds. Three cases are used to illustrate the major principles involved in the correction of tracheostomy scars. Those reconstructive principles are 1) re-approximation of individual layers of the neck for improved contour and release of tracheal skin tug, 2) filling of tissue deficit, using scar de-epithelialization, muscle flaps, or acellular dermal grafts, 3) excision of hypertrophic scarring or keloids, and 4) horizontal wound closure using simple closure or local skin flaps such as z-plasty. The goals and techniques outlined can resolve skin adherence to the trachea and can improve scar appearance in this noticeable location.