Tracheostomy should be considered in patients with acute respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilation — defined as ventilation for 7 days or more — and who are expected to have a ...

THIS discussion is concerned with the uses of tracheostomy and mechanical respiratory devices in managing the problems encountered in a large hospital. The material presented here was obtained by a ...

Both tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy help people breathe when airways are blocked. Cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure while tracheostomy is for people who need long-term assistance with ...

Some patients need the help of a machine (ventilator) to assist with breathing. This is normally done using a tube that passes into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth. If a patient needs to be ...