Stoma Closure anyone?

[babyhugger]

We will be going to Cinci bright and early Monday (12th) for Tristan's stoma closure! Does anyone have any insight on what we may expect? All the nurse told us what to plan to stay a couple of days. There's not a lot published about this procedure, so any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!

[Hinchfamily]

Sorry no insight. Adison was supposed to get hers done but it turned out it closed on it's own once the got in there and her tonsils were to big for them to do it if they wanted to.

I have heard of a few different techniques but im not sure what they are right now.

[lac]

Every surgeon who does the trach closure is different. For Collin they went in and closed it from inside out. He has so much scar tissue they had to go in and take it out then they closed the it surgically, on the outside Collin has a very fine line you can't even tell the trach was there. There are risks with this (as with any surgery) if your Dr. decided to go this route and I'm sure he will go over them with you.

Some doctors prefer to take out the scar tissue and have the stoma close on its own.

We were in the hospital overnight. Thankfully Collin wasn't in as much pain as I thought he would be. Tylenol for a few days and an antibiotic to prevent infection. And of course we had to keep him quiet for a few days. NO running or rough play.
GOOD LUCK!

[LeslieML]

Dawna,
I hope all goes well!!
We went in last June (06) for a stoma closure and came out re-trached.
I "think" our ENT was going to clean out the scar tissue and let it try to close on it's own. Not so sure now. I know we weren't scheduled to stay over night.

I am sending you "CLOSURE" thoughts and vibes.
Leslie

[Alethia]

No advice, but really chuffed for you that this is happening, and that it all goes smoothly - with a lovely smooth neck at the end of it all too!

Love,

Kate
XXX

[annerae63]

Dawna-
Evan had his done in Cincinnati too-I think we were in for just one night. It healed up pretty quickly afterwards. See below link for type of closure that Dr. Cotton did on Evan. I think it all depends on the child and the amount of scar tissue they have but I seem to remember Dr. Cotton saying that this is the type he usually does. Good luck!

http://www.tracheostomy.com/resource...ma_closure.htm

[Kaylie]

Best of luck to you all, i am sure he will speed right thru it.. He is such a big boy now. I wanted to wish you guys the best of luck and keep us posted when you can.. I luv that boy ..

[j's mom]

How exciting! We went in August to have Julianna's stoma closed and the procedure sounds like what others have described here. They did tell us to be ready to see her with a trach in while in recovery. They had pulled it before we even saw it. We were admitted for only one night and she did fine. We flew home the next day, although she was tired and we also kept her quiet for a couple days. I thought the site looked like a big, sore outie belly button for about a week afterwards. Then after about 2 weeks, it was definitely closed. Probably the most "trauma" was having the big, huge gauze pads and tape removed! We went to two big band aids and then down to one to cover while it was healing. You could do turtlenecks!

Take care and best of luck!
Tracy

[WeAdoptKids]

Nothing from the end of the peanut gallery...just prayers for a speedy recovery and a quick trip home.

Hugs,
Roberta