A modified technique to simplify external fixation of the subglottic silicone stent

Several techniques have been previously proposed to fix silicone stents for subglottic tracheal stenosis. However, they require special tools or cumbersome manoeuvres. The proposed modified procedure offers a potential alternative fixing technique using absorbable suture buried subcutaneously and not requiring special devices. This procedure was successfully performed in 27 patients with inoperable complex subglottic stenosis. The mean distance from vocal folds, the mean length and mean diameter of stenosis were 17 ± 2 mm, 20 ± 2.9 mm and 6.9 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The mean procedural time for fixing the stent was 5 ± 0.3 min. No intraoperative or postoperative complications such as stent damage, dislocation, plugging or vocal folds dysfunction were reported (mean follow-up 20 ± 7.7 months).