Operation Theatre & Anesthesia Technology

  TRACHEOSTOMY Tracheotomy , or tracheostomy, is a surgical procedure which consists of making an incision on the anterior aspect of the neck and opening a direct airway through an incision in the trachea . Indications There are four main reasons why someone would receive a tracheotomy: [3] 1. Emergency airway access 2. Airway access for prolonged mechanical ventilation 3. Functional or mechanical upper airway obstruction 4. Decreased/incompetent clearance of tracheobronchial secretions Surgical procedure The best position for a tracheotomy was and still is one that forces the neck into the biggest prominence . Usually, the patient is laid on their back on a table with a cushion placed under their shoulders to prop them up . The typical procedure done is the open surgical tracheotomy . Commonly a transverse (horizontal) incision is made two fingerbreadths above the sternal notch . Alternatively, a vertical incision can be made in the midline of the neck from the thyroid carti