What is Tracheotomy?

Tracheotomy is the surgical creation of an opening from the outside of the neck into the windpipe. A tube is inserted into the opening to allow for normal breathing. It is done to bypass obstructions that are interfering with breathing. The opening is called a stoma or tracheostomy. A stoma may be either temporary or permanent.

In an emergency, a cricothyroidotomy may be done. This type of airway should only be used temporarily. If the airway will be needed for more than 48 hours, a standard tracheotomy will be done.

Tracheostomy © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

A tracheotomy is used to create an open airway. It is done to restore normal breathing in the following situations:

• The airway is obstructed at or above the level of the larynx (voice box), due to:

• Trauma to the neck area
• Obstructing tumors in the upper airway
• Respiratory failure requiring long-term mechanical breathing assistance, as in these cases:

• Spinal cord injury in the neck area
• Severe lung infection or inflammation
• Injury to the respiratory tract due to breathing in smoke or steam or inhaling corrosive substances
• Birth defects of the trachea or larynx
• Foreign object blocking the trachea or larynx

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have a tracheotomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to the vocal cords, vocal cord nerves, or esophagus
• Damage to the lungs
• Difficulty swallowing
• Low blood pressure
• Tracheostomy tube displacement or damage
• Scarring at the site of operation leading to closure of the tracheostomy

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Age: infants and elderly adults
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Recent illness, especially an upper-respiratory infection
• Alcoholism
• Long-term illnesses
• Use of certain prescription and nonprescription drugs

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital,...