Elective coniotomy. A prospective study.

The view current over the last 60 years or so that coniotomy often leads to subglottic stenosis has recently been called into question. In the present study 103 electively performed coniotomies have been analysed. The operation was found to be much easier than tracheotomy. There was no case of severe peroperative or postoperative complications. Six months after decannulation 28 patients were alive and accessible to follow-up examination. No evidence of subglottic stenosis was found. The main disadvantage of this operation would seem to be a tendency for the development of voice changes.