Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). A tube is usually placed through this opening to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. This tube is called a tracheostomy tube or trach tube.

Description of Procedure

General anesthesia is used, unless the situation is critical. In that case, local anesthesia is injected into the area to reduce the discomfort caused by the procedure.

The neck is cleaned and draped. Surgical cuts are made to expose the tough cartilage rings that make up the outer wall of the trachea. The surgeon then creates an opening into the trachea and inserts a tracheostomy tube.

Risks of Tracheostomy

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Problems breathing
• Reactions to medications, including heart attack and stroke

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve injury, including paralysis

Other risks include:

• Damage to the thyroid gland
• Erosion of the trachea (rare)
• Puncture of the lung and lung collapse
• Scar tissue in the trachea that causes pain or trouble breathing

Tracheostomy - series

Review Date: 1/5/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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