Tracheostomy

Original Editor - Natalie Patterson Top Contributors - Natalie Patterson, Lucinda hampton and Kim Jackson

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Tracheostomy NIH.jpeg

A tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the anterior wall of the trachea. Traditionally a tracheostomy is performed as an open surgical procedure, however safe and reliable percutaneous tracheostomy techniques have been developed, allowing for the bedside placement of a tracheostomy in many patients[1].

This 6 minute video explains what a tracheotomy is.

Percutaneous Tracheostomy[edit | edit source]

Percutaneous Tracheostomy involves Seldinger technique and dilatation of trachea between rings[2].

A percutaneous tracheotomy (PT) is typically performed in a hospital room. The doctor makes a small incision near the base of the front of the neck. A special lens is fed through the mouth so that the surgeon can view the inside of the throat. Using this view of the throat, the surgeon guides a needle into the windpipe to create the tracheostomy hole, then expands it to the appropriate size for the tube[3]. Bedside PT generates significant cost savings by eliminating operating room and anesthesia charges. Bronchoscopy is commonly used as a visual aid during PT. Ultrasound (US)-guided PT is gaining popularity[4].

Surgical Tracheostomy[edit | edit source]

Surgical Tracheostomy involves dissection and incision of trachea under direct vision[2].

Tracheostomy with tube

Surgical tracheotomy can be performed in an operating room or in a hospital room. The person is positioned on there back, and a rolled-up towel (or equivalent) is placed under your shoulders to help stretch persons neck. Local anaesthetic is injected into the target area, and a skin incision (cut) is made. The surgeon will then open either the trachea (this is called a ‘tracheostomy’) or the cricothyroid membrane - the thinnest part of the airway below the larynx (this is called a ‘cricothyroidotomy’). The airway tube is inserted into the trachea and person is connected to the oxygen supply. The entire procedure is done as quickly as possible[3].

Indications for a Tracheostomy[5][edit | edit source]

Airway obstruction[edit | edit source]
  • To secure and clear the airway in upper respiratory tract obstruction
  • An obstruction, often caused by a cancer, swelling of the airway, infection, inflammation or trauma
  • Where an airway is predicted to get worse and possibly become actually obstructed E.g. after major head and neck surgery
Providing an artificial airway for ventilation[edit | edit source]
  • A tracheostomy is usually well tolerated and typically does not require sedation once it has been inserted.
  • It is the best way of invasively ventilating a patient in the medium to long term, it provides a secure airway without directly interfering with the larynx
  • It can facilitate weaning from ventilation.
  • It can enable long-term mechanical ventilation of patients, either in an acute setting or long term.
Protecting the airway[edit | edit source]
  • Some patients are at high risk of aspirating secretions or gastric contents into the airway. E.g. neuromuscular disorders, head injuries, unconsciousness, stroke or following prolonged disuse such as after trans-laryngeal intubation (Endotracheal Tube)
  • A tracheostomy tube with the cuff inflated reduces the risk and offers some protection against aspiration
  • Sub-glottic suction systems can help to reduce secretions that enter the airway
Respiratory secretion management[edit | edit source]
  • To facilitate the removal of bronchial secretions where there is poor cough effort with sputum retention
  • Tracheostomy allows manual insufflation-exsufflation (cough assist) to be applied directly to the lungs
  • Suction directly into the trachea to help clear secretions.[5]
Other Reasons for a Tracheostomy[6][edit | edit source]
  • Neuromuscular diseases paralyzing or weakening chest muscles and diaphragm
  • Aspiration related to muscle or sensory problems in the throat
  • Fracture of cervical vertebrae with spinal cord injury
  • Long-term unconsciousness or coma
  • Disorders of respiratory control such as congenital central hypoventilation or central apnea
  • Facial surgery and facial burns
  • Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)

Physiological Changes[edit | edit source]

  • The upper airway anatomical dead space can be reduced by up to 50%. - This space takes no part in gas exchange and adds to the work of breathing. Reducing this can help patients wean off a ventilator more easily.
  • The natural warming, humidification and filtering of air that usually takes place in the upper airway is lost
  • The patient's ability to speak is removed/reduced as the cuff impairs the swallowing mechanisms of the larynx
  • The ability to swallow is adversely affected
  • Sense of taste and smell can be lost which can have a negative impact on appetite.
  • Altered body image[5]

Complications[edit | edit source]

Perioperative period[edit | edit source]
  • Haemorrhage
  • Misplacement of tube - within tissues around trachea or to main bronchus
  • Pneumothorax
  • Tube occlusion
  • Surgical emphysema
  • Loss of the upper airway
Postoperative period < 7 days[edit | edit source]
  • Tube blockage with secretions or blood
  • Partial or complete tube displacement
  • Infection of the stoma site
  • Infection of the bronchial tree (pneumonia)
  • Ulceration, and/or necrosis of trachea or mucosal ulceration by tube migration
  • Risk of occlusion of the tracheostomy tube in obese or fatigued patients who have difficulty extending their neck
  • Tracheo-oesophageal fistula formation
  • Haemorrhage
Late postoperative period >7 days[edit | edit source]
  • Granulomata (a mass of granulation tissue) of the trachea may cause respiratory difficulty when the tracheostomy tube is removed
  • Tracheal dilation, stenosis or tracheomalacia (trachea partly collapses especially during increased airflow)
  • Scar formation-requiring revision
  • Haemorrhage

Types of Tubes[edit | edit source]

Cuffed with fenestrated tubes[edit | edit source]

Used for patients who are on the ventilator but are not able to tolerate a speaking valve to speak

Cuffed with unfenestrated tubes[edit | edit source]

Used to obtain a closed circuit for ventilation

Uncuffed with fenestrated tubes[edit | edit source]

Used for patients who have difficulty using a speaking valve

Uncuffed with unfenestrated tubes[edit | edit source]

Used for patients with tracheal problems

Used for patients who are ready for decannulation

Patient may be able to eat and may be able to talk without a speaking valve.

[7]

Resources[edit | edit source]

UK National Tracheostomy Safety Project http://www.tracheostomy.org.uk/

Watch a Tracheostomy https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/tracheostomy/video/watching.html

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Raimonde AJ, Westhoven N, Winters R. Tracheostomy.Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559124/ (accessed 18.5.2022)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Life in the fast lane Available: https://litfl.com/percutaneous-tracheostomy/ (accessed 18.5.2022)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mayo clinic Tracheostomy Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tracheostomy/about/pac-20384673(accessed 18.5.2022)
  4. Al-Shathri Z, Susanto I. Percutaneous tracheostomy. InSeminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2018 Dec (Vol. 39, No. 06, pp. 720-730). Thieme Medical Publishers.Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30641590/(accessed 18.5.2022)
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 NHS e-Learning for Healthcare and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Understanding Tracheostomies and Laryngectomies. Available at https://cs1.e-learningforhealthcare.org.uk/content/NTSP_01_001/d/ELFH_Session/_/session.html#overview.html (accessed 23 May 2020)
  6. The Johns Hopkins University. Reasons for a tracheostomy. Available from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/tracheostomy/about/reasons.html(accessed 26 May 2020)
  7. National Tracheostomy Safety Project. Understanding Tracheostomy Tubes (National Tracheostomy Safety Project). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBbpxsznEPc (Accessed May 31st 2020)