Tracheostomy

Tracheostomies are performed to bypass life-threatening obstructions of the upper airway or to facilitate surgical procedures in the head and neck region. Neither tube tracheostomy nor permanent tracheostomy is a cure for any particular disease; however, both can be important for patients' supportive or palliative care. Perioperative problems are anticipated with either tube tracheostomy or permanent tracheostomy. Obstruction of the tube or stoma is the most common and devastating problem. Careful and diligent management of tracheostomy patients can circumvent many problems and allow the patient to breath with less difficulty.