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2024-09-14
Care
After a tracheostomy, the skin around the surgical incision needs to be cleaned several times a day. This cleaning helps prevent rashes caused by excess moisture.
Patients also need to clean their tracheostomy tube daily. Some people may need to change their tube every 1 to 3 months. The visiting nurse will explain to the patient or their caregiver how to perform these tasks.
Caregivers also need to instruct on how to suck debris and mucus out of the tube. Sucking causes the patient to cough and may make them feel short of breath. Over time, people get used to this feeling.
Patients must tell their doctor if they notice any change in the color of their mucus, as this may be a sign of infection.
Patients must be extra careful when showering with their tracheostomy tube. Any water that gets into the tube may enter the lungs. Waterproof covers for tracheostomy tubes are available.
People with tracheostomy tubes may also need the following equipment and supplies:
Complications
Tracheostomy can lead to short-term and long-term complications.
Short-term complications
All surgical procedures carry some risk. Bleeding and infection are the most common complications.
In some cases, a tracheostomy tube may accidentally become dislodged soon after surgery. This complication can be dangerous because the patient will not be able to breathe effectively on their own.
Short-term complications tend to occur in people who are frail, ill, or malnourished.
Long-term complications
One potential long-term complication of a tracheostomy is damage to the trachea, which can cause problems when the patient removes the tracheostomy tube.
Sometimes a tracheostomy tube can damage the area around the surgical opening. This damage can lead to infection and severe bleeding.
Tracheostomy tubes can also increase the production of mucus in the airway. Excess mucus can block a person's lungs. Caregivers of people with tracheostomies need to be trained to suction out mucus to prevent blockages.
Putting any tube into the airway increases a person's risk of pneumonia.
Other types of airway management
There are several different types of procedures used to manage airway obstruction and damage. We outline the differences between tracheostomies and other procedures below.
Tracheotomy vs. Tracheotomy
People often use the terms tracheotomy and tracheotomy interchangeably. However, tracheotomy simply refers to the procedure of making a surgical opening in the windpipe. A tracheotomy is the insertion of a tube to keep the airway open. The tube can remain in place permanently if necessary. However, a tracheotomy can also be removed.
Endotracheal Tube
An endotracheal tube is a PVC tube that a doctor inserts into the windpipe through the mouth or nose. The tube allows airflow to the lungs.
People may find an endotracheal tube uncomfortable. In some cases, an endotracheal tube may cause mouth sores and lead to injury to the vocal cords. This injury can make it difficult for a person to communicate with others.
Cricothyroidotomy
A cricothyroidotomy is a procedure that places a tube through an incision in the cricothyroid membrane of the neck. Doctors may perform this procedure if they are unable to intubate a person who is not breathing.
Cricothyroidotomy is a relatively high-risk procedure. Therefore, it is the last step in surgical airway management.
Summary
A tracheotomy is a procedure in which a tube is inserted into a patient's windpipe to assist with breathing. It is a form of long-term airway management for people with conditions that block airflow in the lungs.
Tracheostomy tubes can lead to both short-term and long-term health complications. To minimize the risk of certain complications, people with tracheostomies and their caregivers must be trained on how to care for their tracheostomy tubes. This care includes regular cleaning of the tube and surgical site.
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