Tracheotomy

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Tracheotomy, surgical operation in which an incision, or opening, is cut through the front of the neck and into the trachea, or windpipe. The oldest mention of the operation in medical literature is found in the writings of the Greek physician Galen (2nd century ad).

A tracheotomy creates an alternate passage to the lungs for air that cannot flow from the nose and mouth through the trachea because of an obstruction. Obstructions may occur when a foreign body lodges in the larynx, or voice box, above the trachea; as a result of swelling or spasm of the larynx or vocal cords; or from infection and swelling of the epiglottis, the thin flap of cartilage covering that keeps food and liquid out of the trachea.

The purpose of a tracheostomy is to keep the airway from closing prematurely and to enable the physician to take further measures, if necessary, to ensure that the patient has a patent airway. When a tracheotomy is performed on a patient suffering from severe bronchial or lung congestion, a catheter, or small-diameter, flexible tube, is inserted through the stationary tube and used with a suction device to clean out the bronchial tubes and lungs while the patient is encouraged to cough vigorously.

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