What is Tracheostomy?
Category: Surgeries
See also: Bivona Trach Tube Cuffless Fenestrated Trach Tube Disposable Cuffed Trach Tube (DCT)
A tracheostomy or tracheotomy is a surgical procedure whereby an artificial airway is inserted into the windpipe (trachea). In ALS/MND they may be used as a short-term measure in the treatment of pulmonary infections such as pneumonia, or in the long-term in combination with a ventilator.
| Purpose | Patients | Evaluations | Perceived Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathing difficulty | 38 | 9 | |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | 27 | 5 | |
| General health | 9 | 2 | |
| Excess saliva | 2 | 0 | |
| Shortness of breath (dyspnea) | 2 | 0 | |
| Cerebral palsy | 1 | 0 |
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
Side effects
Side effects as an overall problem
| Severity | Evaluations | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | 0 | |
| Moderate | 1 | |
| Mild | 5 | |
| None | 7 |
Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Tracheostomy
| Side effect | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Excess mucus | 2 | |
| Choking on my saliva when relaxed and forget to swallow | 1 | |
| Cough | 1 | |
| Loss of voice | 1 | |
| Stoma leaking | 1 |
Duration
Stopped having Tracheostomy
| Duration | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 month | 35 | |
| 10 years or more | 5 |
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