Why have a tracheotomy

These tubes use air to widen or narrow the tube to fit the hole. After inserting and placing the trach tube into the windpipe, the surgeon or other health care professional will use stitches, surgical tape, or a Velcro band to hold the tube in place. After getting the tracheostomy, you may stay in the hospital to recover depending on your health.

It can take up to two weeks for a tracheostomy to fully form, or mature. During this time, you will not be able to eat normally and will likely receive nutrients through a feeding tube. You may have difficulty talking after your tracheostomy. A speech therapist can help you to regain normal swallowing ability and use your voice to speak clearly. Your trach tube will be removed when you no longer need it. The hole usually closes on its own, but surgery can close the hole if needed.

A tracheostomy is sometimes needed if you're unable to breathe normally because of an underlying health condition or a blocked airway. A tracheostomy can deliver oxygen to the lungs if you cannot breathe normally. This is known as respiratory failure. Sometimes, a tube attached to an artificial breathing machine ventilator is inserted into the mouth and down the throat.

The type of trach tube your child has depends on:. During the surgery, the doctor will put in the correct size and type of trach tube. Often the first trach tube has a cuff. The cuff is a filled balloon that seals off the air leak from the stoma. Right after the surgery, a trach with a cuff helps your child and the ventilator breathing machine work together to breathe. The surgeon will change the first trach tube one week after surgery when the stoma has healed. If your child does not need a cuffed trach tube at that time, the surgeon will replace it then or before your child leaves the hospital.

It is not easy to decide about a tracheotomy for your child. You may have mixed feelings about it. Ask your doctor and trusted advisors any questions you may have. A tracheostomy may be temporary or it may be permanent. When your child has recovered from surgery, the doctors review his needs again and discuss this with you. Sometimes a tracheostomy is permanent.

Many children who have a tracheostomy might need to stay on a ventilator at home. If you agree to a tracheostomy for your child, you will learn how to care for the trach, including:.

You will go to classes in the Family Resource Center. There, you will practice these skills on a doll. Plan to go to class right after the trach surgery and before the first trach change by the surgeons. This allows you to practice at the hospital and learn what to do at home. This is set up so you are prepared to care for your child at home. Skip to Content. Urgent Care. In This Section. The more common reasons for a tracheostomy are listed below. A blockage in the upper airway: if the upper airway is blocked, air cannot get into the lungs.

The trach tube helps your child breathe. Inability to clear mucus from the lungs and airway: lungs make mucus.