Tracheotomy
”What is“Tracheotomy
• The word “tracheotomy” is derived
from the Latin “trachea” and
“tomein” (to make an opening).
• Tracheostomy is an operative
procedure that creates a surgical
airway in the cervical trachea .
Tracheotomy
Relative anatomy
INDICATIONS:
Edema from trauma
Burns
Tumors (of oropharynx, larynx, upper trachea)
Infections (epiglottitis, severe tracheobronchitis)
Need for prolonged respiratory support
INDICATIONS:
Edema (tongue, laryngopharynx)
Intubation failure
Foreign body obstruction
Facial fractures
Neuromuscular diseases paralyzing or
weakening chest muscles and diaphragm
CONTD:
Congenital abnormalities
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Cervical spinal cord injuries with
respiratory muscles paralysis
Techniques for inserting
Surgical
tracheostomy
Percutaneous
tracheostomy
Surgical tracheostomy:
This technique is usually carried out in an
operating theatre where conditions are sterile
and lighting is good. General anesthesia is
generally used however this technique can
also be carried out with a local anesthetics
CONTD:
A surgical opening is made into the trachea
into which a tube is placed; this may then be
sutured to the skin or secured with cloth ties
or a holder
Percutaneous tracheostomy
This is the most commonly used technique in
critical care as it is simple and quick, can be
performed at the bedside using anaesthetic
sedation and local anaesthetic, and therefore
is often the technique of choice in the
critically ill
Contd:
The procedure involves the insertion of a
needle through the neck into the trachea
followed by a guide-wire through the needle.
The needle is removed and the tract made
gradually larger by inserting a series of
progressively larger dilators over the wire
until the stoma is large enough to fit a
suitable tube (Seldinger technique). This is
then secured by cloth ties or a holder
TRACHEOSTOMY CARE
Purpose of Tracheostomy care
Maintain airway patency by removing mucus
and encrusted secretions
Promote cleanliness and prevent infection
and skin breakdown at stoma site
ASSESSMENT:
Assess for excess peristomal secretions,
excess intra-tracheal secretions, or soiled
tracheostomy dressing and ties
Assess respiratory status
Identify factors
ASSESSMENT:
Identify type of tracheostomy tube used and if
inner cannula is present. Identify if
tracheostomy tube is cuffed and if the cuff is
inflated
Assess client's ability to understand and
perform independent tracheostomy care
Advantages
Best tolerated for a prolonged period
Easy to suction
Easy to stabilize
Ability to swallow
No laryngeal injury
Decrease dead space in the respiratory
system
Disadvantages:
Infection
Surgical procedure
A scar will remain visible on the neck
(after removal of the tranchea canula)
Increase risk of mucus plug
May cause hemorrhage
Equipment
Sterile towel
Sterile gauze pads (10)
Sterile cotton swabs
Sterile gloves
Hydrogen peroxide
Sterile water
Antiseptic solution and ointment (optional)
Tracheostomy tie tapes or commercially
available tracheostomy securing device
Face shield
CONTD:
B.P handle with blade
Sharp scissors
Sinus forceps
Blunt dissector
Tracheal dilator
Suturing needle and suturing material
Dissecting forceps
Needle holder
CONTD:
Mackintosh and towel
Local anesthesia
Kidney tray and paper bag
Spot light
Electric suction
Apron
`
SIZES OF TUBE:
Inn infants: 2.5-3.5 mm
In children: 4-4.5 mm
In adults: 7-8.5 mm
Procedure:
Preparatory Performanc Follow-up
phase e phase phase
Preparatory phase:
Assess the condition
Examine the neck for subcutaneous
emphysema
Performance phase:
Suction the trachea and pharynx thoroughly
before tracheostomy care
Explain the procedure
Wash hands thoroughly
Place the sterile equipment
contd:
Place sterile towel on patient's chest under
tracheostomy site
Open 4 gauze pads and pour hydrogen
peroxide on them & clean the areas
Place tracheostomy tube tapes on field
Put on face shield and sterile gloves
CONTD:
Unlock and remove inner cannula, if present
If disposable inner cannula is used, replace
with new cannula (with your clean hand),
touching only external portion, and lock it
If inner cannula is reusable, remove it with
your contaminated hand and clean it in
hydrogen peroxide solution, using brush or
pipe cleaners with your sterile hand
CONTD:
When clean, drop it into sterile saline solution
and it to rinse thoroughly with your sterile
hand. Tap it gently to dry it and replace it with
your sterile hand
A thin layer of antibiotic ointment may be
applied to the stoma with a cotton swab
CONTD:
Change the tracheostomy tie tapes:
Follow-up phase:
Document procedure performance
Clean the fresh stoma every 8 hours or more
frequently
COMPLICATIONS:
infection of the skin, trachea or lungs
Prolonged use of a tracheostomy tube may
cause stenosis (narrowing) of the trachea
Pneumothorax
Tube may come out
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Poor laryngeal function
summarization