A tracheotomy is a procedure which consists of creating an opening in the neck for direct access to the windpipe (trachea).
A tracheotomy is a procedure which consists of creating an opening in the neck for direct access to the windpipe (trachea). The opening is called a tracheostomy or sometimes a tracheostoma. There are many potential reasons for the purpose of a tracheostomy, including easier breathing and secretion management. A tracheostomy can be either temporary, 2-4 weeks, or more long-term, months – years, or in some cases permanent, depending on the needs and reason for having it.
• Has an obstruction in their upper airway (nose, mouth or throat).
• Has difficulty swallowing.
• Has trouble breathing due to injury, swelling or lung conditions.
• Undergoes airway reconstruction following surgery on their larynx (voice box) or pharynx (throat).
• Needs mechanical ventilation (breathing machine).
A tracheostomy tube is inserted into the tracheostoma to keep it open. As a result of the tracheostomy, you will breathe through a tracheostomy tube while breathing through your nose and mouth will either be reduced or completely bypassed.
Breathing through a tracheostoma means breathing in dry, cold and unfiltered air. This will irritate the lining of the airways and lungs, and may result in more coughing, mucus production, and a greater risk for infection.
Using a Heat & Moisture Exchanger (HME) humidifies and moisturizes the air you inhale, and so may help with the function of both your airways and lungs.
Since exhaled air will no longer move through your vocal cords your voice will be affected. The type of tracheostomy tube you have, as well as the reason for your tracheostomy, will dictate how speaking will be affected. Some people may be able to speak after a tracheostomy using equipment and others may not; however, there are options available to help you communicate again – your healthcare professional will work with you to find the best option for you.
If the tracheostomy is no longer necessary, the healthcare provider can remove the tracheostomy tube. The hole often closes on its own. But if it doesn’t, a surgeon will close it up.
Tracheostomized children have a high risk of respiratory infections. This is due to the naturally protective oral and nasal passages being bypassed, allowing microorganisms into the lower airways more easily.
Learn more about pediatricsUsers share their stories about living with a neck stoma
A tracheotomy is a procedure which consists of creating an opening in the neck for direct access to the windpipe (trachea). The opening is called a tracheostomy or sometimes a tracheostoma.
In 2006, Dorenda underwent surgery for thyroid cancer. Read her story.
Speech is a very important way of communicating. To speak with a tracheostomy, you will need to redirect the air you breathe out to go up through your vocal cords. Freevent DualCare is a speaking valve which enables hands-free speech.
Mrs. Edeltraud Stegemann is a 75-year-old from Bad Vilbel in Germany. She has been tracheotomized twice, survived a cardiac arrest and today leads a full life with a tracheostomy. We were privileged to sit down and interview Mrs. Stegemann to gain some insight into her extraordinary experience.
Mia and Stefan live in the south of the Netherlands with their son Tom, a tough boy just under a year and a half old, a cat and a few chickens. This sounds like a typical family. But when Tom was 8 months old, he was tracheostomized because of an overgrowth syndrome.
Freevent XtraCare combines an HME with a highly effective electrostatic filter, and provides protection against airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria, with a filtration efficiency of more than 99%*.
download brochureWe provide different products for different situations. Learn more about Freevent® XtraCare™ for good humidification and effective filtration. Or Freevent® DualCare™ where a speaking valve is combined with the benefits of an HME
For tracheostomized children we have Freevent® XtraCare™ Mini that provides effective filtration along with good humidification for daily protection.
Freevent XtraCare provides humidification and effective filtration for extra protection
Soft, thin-walled and dimensionally stable PVC-tracheostomy tube
Tracoe Smart Cuff Manager
The Tracoe Experc dilation set (REF 520) can be used alone or together with the P-tube most appropriate for the patient.
The Tracoe Vario, and Vario XL are single-lumen, soft and flexible tracheostomy tubes with variably adjustable neck flange.