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General Information

Descriptive Terms

Tracheotomy: A surgical incision into the trachea for the purpose of establishing an airway. Performed in the OR. A tube is placed in the trachea just below the 2^nd and 3^rd tracheal ring, bypassing the epiglottis. A tracheostomy may be emergency, temporary, permanent, or prophylactic.

Tracheostomy: A tracheal stoma or opening that results from a tracheotomy.

Trach: A tracheostomy site or tube is often referred to as a "trach". This term will be used frequently in the manual.

Inner cannula: A "sleeve" which fits inside the trach tube and may be removed for cleaning.

Flange or neck plate: Holds ties, prevents pressure points and movement.

Obturator: Guides the tube into position without causing trauma to tissues. Is removed once the trach tube is in place.

Cuff: Surrounds the outer cannula. Inflated (with air) inside trachea to prevent aspiration and to seal the trach wall to allow more efficient air exchange, especially with a ventilator.

Fenestration: Hole in trach tube to allow air passage for speaking (trach tube is below larynx, making speech with a cuffed non-fenestrated tube impossible).

Ties: Cotton tie (may or may not have Velcro attachment) around neck to decrease movement of trach tube.

Decannulation: The process of weaning patient from trach use. Considered once a patient has a patent upper airway. Consists of straight removal or "corking" (plugging) the tube for periods of time.
 

Types of Tubes

· Metal (Jackson) or plastic (Shiley, Portex)
· Single cannula or double cannula
· Cuffed or uncuffed
· Fenestrated (for speaking) or non-fenestrated
· Disposable and permanent
· Long-term and short-term