ABSTRACT
Objective:In order to prevent tracheostomal stenosis (TSS) instead of laryngectomy cannulas after total laryngectomy, Nickel\|Titanium shape memory alloys(NI\|SMA) stents in tracheostome were produced and applicated in clinic. Methods: The diameter of NI-SMA is 0.8mm, and Ni 50%, Ti 50%. The shape of the Ni\|SMA stent is the two\|threeth of circumference and its diameters are 18mm, 19.5mm, 21mm. The stents were implanted between the first and the second tracheal cartilage ring of the stump in twenty\|two patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma or hypopharyngeal carcinoma or esophagul carcinoma in neck. All the patients were free of laryngectomy cannulas after operation. Results: Nieteen patients healed at one stage. Infections after operation were seen in three cases. Eight patients received radiotherapy after total laryngectomy. The NT\|SMA stent did not influence radiotherapy after operation. The TSS occured in six of the patients. A simple procedure named “doughnut” for widening stenosis was performed successfully with an electric cautery knife in all the patients with tracheostomal stenosis after operation. Conclusions: The results suggested that the NT\|SMA stents can prevent from traheostenosis instead of metal laryngectomy cannulas after total laryngectomy.