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The Tracheostomy procedure involves making an opening through the front of the neck into the windpipe, where a tracheostomy tube is placed to help with breathing. This procedure is often necessary when the usual pathway for breathing is blocked or reduced.
In emergencies, such as accident victims, a Tracheostomy may need to be performed outside of a hospital setting. However, these procedures are challenging and carry increased risks when performed outside of a hospital. The emergency specialists at Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur, Kolkata, are well-trained in performing Tracheostomies both in hospital and emergency field situations, ensuring the utmost safety and care standards for optimal outcomes.
The Tracheostomy procedure provides an alternate passage for breathing. This procedure may also be employed for patients requiring long-term ventilators, cancer patients, or those with paralysis. When the alternate passage is no longer needed, the opening is allowed to heal naturally or is surgically closed. However, for some patients, it may be permanent.
When an incision is made in the windpipe, it is referred to as a Tracheotomy whereas the opening is termed a Tracheostomy. Both of these terms are used interchangeably.
You will have to undergo a Tracheostomy in the following cases:
Individuals having an obstruction in their upper airways
Those requiring assisted breathing for a longer duration
Having difficulty swallowing
Having trouble breathing due to swelling, injury, blockage, or lung conditions
Undergoing reconstructive procedures in the head and neck region
Those requiring mechanical ventilation
Individuals with severe pneumonia, massive heart attack, or stroke
If a Tracheostomy procedure is planned, your doctor will thoroughly assess your health status. You may have to fast several hours before the procedure. However, in emergencies, there may not be time for pre-procedure preparations.
In most cases, Tracheostomy Tube Insertion is not an emergency procedure. An ENT surgeon will perform the procedure in the operation theatre. Whether a Tracheostomy is performed on the operating table or at the bedside, it requires a general anaesthetic to ensure the patient does not experience any pain.
An incision is made in the neck, just below Adam’s apple. In addition, an incision is also made in the trachea, and the hole is extended to allow the tube to fit inside. Once placed, the tube is secured in position until you recover with a band around the neck.
You will need to stay in the hospital for a few days to a week after surgery. During this time, the patient will be monitored to check for recovery. We will provide post-operative instructions, which will guide you on how to take care of the surgical site and clean the tracheostomy tube.
Minor scab formation and bleeding are normal. After a week, the tract between the skin and the windpipe heals.
Recovery time from a Tracheostomy can vary between individuals. However, most patients take at least two weeks to completely recover.
Undergoing Tracheostomy has several benefits, such as improved comfort and a reduced need for sedation. Additionally, those requiring mechanical ventilation can be easily weaned off of the device and have faster rehabilitation.
Short-term complications:
Most of the short-term risks are temporary. These include:
Individuals who are sick, weak, or malnourished have a higher risk of developing complications. Keeping the tracheostomy tube clean can help reduce the risk of developing complications.
Long-term complications:
Most patients can breathe on their own, as the procedure helps bypass the nose, mouth, and throat, allowing the air to flow directly to the lungs. When a Tracheostomy procedure is performed to overcome an injury or blockage to the windpipe, the patient can breathe on their own soon after the surgery. If the patient cannot breathe independently, the tracheostomy tube is attached to the ventilator, increasing the flow of oxygen to the lungs.
When the patient is in the Critical Care Unit, nutrition is provided through a feeding tube that passes through the nose into the stomach. The tracheostomy tube can interfere with swallowing. Therefore, eating or drinking with the tracheostomy tube can be unsafe as the food can enter the airway and cause a chest infection.
The effects of Tracheostomy on speech depend on several factors, which include the reason for the procedure, whether the vocal cords were damaged, and the type of tube used. At first, patients can experience difficulty speaking, as breathing through the tracheostomy tube can redirect air away from the vocal cord. In such cases, you can try covering the tracheostomy hole to be able to speak or learn speech therapy techniques. A unique valve may be installed on the tracheostomy tube to enhance speaking.
There can be some changes in the way you communicate or swallow, but generally, patients enjoy a good quality of life.
You will have to seek emergency care in the following cases:
If you have an irregular heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Have a fever or signs of infection
Develop thick secretions or mucous plugs
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