What is a tracheostomy?
Tracheostomy is simply an opening in the air pipe in front of your neck. In most cases, a surgical procedure creates an opening on the neck, and a plastic or metal tube is placed into the tracheal wall to facilitate breathing.
Tracheostomy can be temporary or permanent based on the type and severeness of a patient’s condition. A tracheostomy tube is inserted into the neck below the vocal cords. Therefore, breathing will be done using the tube avoiding the throat, nose, and mouth. The very opening, which was created on the neck is called the stroma. Often medical personnel uses this opening to administer oxygen to assist in breathing and a nebulizer that humidifies a liquid fine mist to inhale it into the lungs of a patient.
When is tracheostomy needed?
one end of the tube is attached to a nebulizer machine
As I tried to mention above, a tracheostomy can be done temporarily or permanently. If an accident happened on someone and blocked the airways, a temporary tracheostomy is performed.
According to hopkinsmedicine.org, a tracheostomy may need to be performed permanently if we need to avoid a blocked upper respiratory truck or airway whenever it is necessary to clean and remove developed mucus secretions from the airway, and to administer an ample amount of oxygen
into the lungs or a victim who has suffered a blockage to his respiratory truck
Specifically speaking the following conditions may raise the need for tracheostomy. Airway problems such as Tumors, such as cystic hygroma, laryngectomy, infection, such as epiglottitis or croup, subglottic Stenosis, Vocal cord paralysis (VCP), laryngeal injury or spasms, congenital abnormalities of the airway, large tongue or small jaw that blocks the airway, severe neck or mouth injuries, airway burns from inhalation of corrosive material, smoke or steam, obstructive sleep apnea, and foreign body obstruction are related airway problems.
Issues that compromise the ability to inhale air freely like the ones listed below may require tracheostomy. Prolonged respiratory support, to the airway and chronic lower airway and lung condition, may also require performing a tracheostomy. Nevertheless, all tracheostomy tubes are not equal and therefore, are not the same.
Types of Tracheostomy Tubes
There are about six types of tracheostomy tubes know today. When the need arises from a certified doctor to perform tracheostomy decides the appropriate tube type for the specific condition of the patient. Generally, the selection is done based on the outer diameter, the inner diameter and the length of the tube. The key points are the length of the tubing and how wide the tube is needed. Factors such as age, the condition the tube is needed come into play when selecting tracheostomy tubes.
According to nhsgg.org.uk, the six tracheostomy tubes are highlighted below.
1. Single Lumen Tubes
A single lumen tube maximizes the inner lumen of the tracheostomy tube decreasing airway resistance. This tube requires replacement every 5–7 days.
The inner tube used in double lumen type tracheostomy tubing reduces the internal diameter of the tube by about one to one, and half millimeter such as products has the potential to increase the patient’s effort of breathing. When using a double-lumen type tracheostomy tube to deliver oxygen and nebulizer systems, the outer lumen can be kept in place for about a month. While the inner lumen is changed or cleaned frequently reducing the risk of occlusion and infection.
3. Cuffed Tubes
the inflatable type of tracheostomy tube has a cuff in front and the inside; in this case, the trachea is held in place and sealed with the surrounding tissues of the tracheal lining wall When the cuff is inflated, the pressure will seal and hinders movement during inspiration and expiration against the tracheal wall
4. Uncuffed Tubes
This type of tracheostomy tube allows respiration partially via the upper airway and limitedly via the tracheostomy tube.
5. Fenestrated Tubes
Fenestrations implies the opening to the holes in the lumen of the tracheostomy tube. There are several small holes made on the side of the tubing. Airflow is directed either via the tracheostomy tube (using a non-fenestrated inner lumen) or partially through the upper airway and tracheostomy tube (using the fenestrated inner or outer lumen).
6. Adjustable Flange Tubes
The adjustable flange or a projecting flat rim tracheostomy tube is adjusted to the desired length to provide strengthen or attachment. When in situ, the flange is taken out during cleaning around the tracheostomy opening and constructs adjustments to make comfortable within the patient. an adjustment to this type of tracheostomy tube should only be undertaken in the presence of an appropriately experienced practitioner.
To sum up, temporary accidents or permanent health problems may lead to the importance of undergoing a tracheostomy surgical procedure. A patient or a caregiver should be well informed about the specific medical treatment that needs to be done. Its also wise to know when to change, clean, and maintain the devices to be used for a better condition. Take care,
