Subcutaneous stent in the management of axial tracheostomal collapse after permanent tracheostomy

Abstract

A stainless steel stent was used to provide support for a permanent tracheostomy stoma in a four-year-old Pug. The tracheostomal stent was employed in the surgical salvage of a stoma that was collapsing axially and becoming occluded by redundant skin folds and inflammatory exudate. Combined with stomal revision, tracheostomal stenting resulted in successful wound healing and a functional tracheostomy. Unfortunately, the dog died on the tenth post-operative day from obstruction of the proximal trachea, distal to the stoma, with exudate and secretions.