Tracheostomy is a surgery for creating an opening through neck into windpipe or trachea. Usually, a pipe is placed through the opening to furnish an airway and for draining the secretions of lungs. This tube is known as trach tube or tracheostomy tube.
General anesthesia is given. The trachea is cleaned and covered. Surgical incisions are done to expose tough cartilage ring that compose the outer lining of windpipe. Then surgeon makes an aperture into trachea and inserts trach tube.
Tracheostomy is performed to detect whether the patient has the following:
- Severe mouth or neck injuries
- Muscle paralysis which affects swallowing
- Aspiring harmful material, like steam or smoke
- Cancer of neck that may affect breathing
- An inherited abnormality of trachea or larynx
- Large object that blocks the airway
Risks for Tracheostomy include:
Following are the risks of anesthesia:
- Reactions to medicines
- Breathing problems
Following are the risks for surgery:
- Infection
- Bleeding
Other risks may include:
- Scar tissues in the trachea or windpipe
- Nerve damage
- Erosion of trachea
After Procedure:
If tracheostomy is not permanent, eventually tube will be removed. Healing occurs quickly and leaves a minimal scar. Rarely, a tightening or stricture of trachea may develop that affects the aspiration. If the tube is permanent, the aperture remains open and requires surgical procedure for closing, when it is no longer required.
Prognosis of Tracheostomy:
Many patients need 1 – 3 days for adapting to breath through trach tube. This takes some time for the patient to learn how to communicate with others. In the early days, it might not be possible for patient to make sounds or talk.
After certain practice and training, many patients learn to communicate with a trach tube. They will learn how to take care of tracheostomy when they are hospitalized.
Daily activities are encouraged and many activities can be resumed. When the patient’s are in outdoors, a covering to tracheostomy hole is suggested. Patients must follow other safety measures regarding exposure to powder, aerosols, water and food particles too.
