A surgical hole made in the trachea, through which a tracheostomy tube is passed
Attached to ventilation bag/machine
Use: a tracheostomy is performed for long-term ventilation in intensive care
Note: a needle or surgical cricothyroidotomy is different and is used in the emergency setting when an acute upper airway obstruction is preventing endotracheal intubation
How to perform a tracheostomy
A trachestomy is a complex procedure and beyond the scope of this site.
The video below is included for interest only – full surgical, ENT, ED or anaesthesia training required.
