Abstract
Nineteen cases of tracheo-cutaneous fistula were seen between 1979 and 1984. These cases consisted of seven cases of cerebral vascular disease, four cases of head injury, two cases of pneumoia and a case of meningitis, drug allergy and brain tumor. The cases in their teens were four in their twenties, five; in their thirties, three; in their forties, four; in their fifties, three; in their sixties, one. Those under 10 and over 70 were not found. Fighteen cases were admitted at Kanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital for rehabilitation, and 10 of them were operated on. The duration of cannulation was 3 weeks at least and 1 year at most. In every case the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage were intact. In one case an attempt was made to close its fistula, but failed. The other 18 cases were left as they were We obtained the conclusion that the main causes of tracheocutaneous fistula after tracheostomy were long-term cannulation and inadequate postoperative treatment.
