Explanation

A tracheostomy is when a doctor creates an opening in your trachea (windpipe) through a small cut in your throat. The term '-stomy' means to make an artificial opening, so tracheostomy means to make an opening in your trachea. A doctor will put a small tube through the hole to keep it open for air to get in.

Why do I need one?

You might need a tracheostomy if there is something blocking your windpipe, or if your windpipe is too narrow and not enough air is reaching your lungs. This can happen for many reasons, including injuries and infections. You might also need a tracheostomy if there is fluid in your chest that needs removing.

What happens before I have it?

You don't need to prepare specially for it, but you will need to go to a hospital to have a tracheostomy.

Sometimes, like if you injure yourself, a tracheostomy will not be planned and a doctor will have to do one as an emergency so that you can breathe.

How is it done?

If your tracheostomy is planned, your doctor will ask you to put on a hospital gown and he or she will attach a machine to your chest that measures your heart rate and oxygen levels. You may even get a drip (small tube that goes into your vein) so that you get enough water and don't get dehydrated.

You will have a general anaesthetic so that you will be asleep during the operation. A doctor will firstly make a small cut in your neck between your Adam's apple and the top of your breast bone. He or she will then move the neck muscle and your thyroid gland aside to find your trachea and make a small cut in it. A small tube is then put carefully into this hole so that you can breathe through this instead of your nose or mouth. Sometimes a doctor will connect this tube to an oxygen machine and a ventilator to make sure you get enough oxygen. A doctor will then use cotton tape to keep the tube in place.

The operation usually takes up to one hour.

Sometimes a doctor can do this without you having to have an operation. Your doctor will guide the tube into your trachea using a guide wire and dilators, which hold your trachea open. If you have this type of tracheostomy you will only need a local anaesthetic (where the area is numbed) instead of being asleep.

Will it hurt?

Your doctor will give you anaesthetic so the tracheostomy won't hurt at all. It might hurt a bit afterwards when the anaesthetic wears off, but your doctor will give you painkillers to help with that.

What happens next?

You might find it difficult to swallow food and talk straight after your tracheostomy. This is normal and you should get better at it soon. Your doctor may refer you to see a speech therapist to help you with this.

You may need to keep your tube in for only a short time after the surgery or permanently. Your doctor will explain to you how you can take care of it. It's really important that you don't get dust in the tube from things like your clothes or pets. Getting water inside your tube can also be very dangerous so be careful when you are taking a shower, having a bath or are even paddling near water. You should also avoid smoky areas, because the smoke will go straight into your lungs and cause irritation.

What if I have any other questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about tracheostomies in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.