Tracheostomy: Purpose, Procedure | 合法醫療器材資訊網

Thetubeisinsertedthroughacutintheneckbelowthevocalcords.Thisallowsairtoenterthelungs.Breathingisthendonethroughthetube,bypassingthe ...

A tracheostomy, also known as a tracheotomy, is a medical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck in order to place a tube into a person’s trachea, or windpipe.

The tube may be temporary or permanent. It’s inserted through a cut in the neck below the vocal cords that allows air to enter the lungs. Breathing is then done through the tube, bypassing the mouth, nose, and throat.

The hole in the neck that the tube passes through is commonly known as a stoma.

The words “tracheostomy” and “tracheotomy” are often used interchangeably.

However, tracheostomy technically refers to the medical procedure itself, while tracheotomy refers to the incision that’s created during the procedure.

A tracheostomy is performed for several reasons. It may b...