.[.A device for insertion into a puncture in a tracheoesophageal wall includes a cylindrical body and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body. A retainer constructed of a material soluble in fluids present in the tracheoesophageal wall and esophagus retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation. A method for inserting the device into the puncture comprises the steps of resiliently deflecting the flange toward the axis of the body, placing the retainer over the resiliently folded flange, and either pushing the body, resiliently folded flange first, into the puncture so that the resiliently folded flange lies on the esophageal side of the tracheoesophageal wall, or pulling the body, resiliently folded flange first, into the puncture so that the resiliently folded flange lies on the tracheal side of the tracheoesophageal wall..]. .Iadd.A device for insertion into an opening in a wall in a human body includes a cylindrical device body having a longitudinal axis and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the device body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the device body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the device body. A retainer retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation. The retainer is constructed of a material soluble in fluids present adjacent the wall. A method for inserting the device into the opening comprises resiliently deflecting the flange toward the axis of the device body and placing over the resiliently folded flange a retainer of a material soluble in fluids present adjacent the wall..Iaddend.