Tracheotomy/Tracheostomy Surgery

CREATING AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY FOR BREATHING.

medical illustration of tracheostomy/tracheostomy surgery

Tracheotomy/tracheostomy surgery is performed to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (the windpipe) to create an alternative pathway for breathing.

Although the terms “tracheotomy” and “tracheostomy” are often used interchangeably, in reality, the entire procedure is known as a tracheostomy while the opening in the front of the neck is known as the tracheotomy.

A tracheostomy provides an air passage to help you breathe when the usual route for breathing is somehow blocked or reduced, for example, after a total laryngectomy. neck.

Surgical Procedure

During the tracheostomy, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. An incision – called a tracheotomy – is made to the front of the throat and a tube is placed through the opening to provide an airway, as well as to remove secretions from the lungs.