Tracheostomy is the creation of an opening in the trachea through the neck to facilitate the passage of air. A temporary tracheostomy, where a nonreactive tube is inserted into the trachea, can be performed to provide an alternate route for air during surgery or as an emergency measure in patients with a severe difficulty to breath. The tube must be secured by suturing it to the skin. After a tube tracheostomy the patient must be observed closely to prevent tube obstruction or dislodgement. If the trachea is irritated, increased mucous production may occur and the tube may require cleaning.
REFERENCES: Fossum, TW, Johnson, AL, Schulz, KS, Seim, HB, Willard, MD, Bahr, A & Carroll, GL 2002, ‘Small animal surgery’, 2nd ed, Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis, pp. 825-826.
