A Method of Tracheotomy Care

In recent years, the indication for tracheotomy has been recognized more frequently. Severe accident cases, chest injuries, postoperative neurosurgical cases, and head and neck cases often require tracheotomy, not only to prevent immediate asphyxiation but also to promote a smoother post-traumatic or postoperative convalescence. The successful outcome of many of these cases is partially dependent on a systematic and efficient system of tracheotomy care. Experience has proved that this is often lacking on some surgical floors. Many of the patients admitted to the Head and Neck Service of the Roswell Park Memorial Institute require tracheotomy. It is the purpose of this paper to describe a simple and adequate method of tracheotomy care now in use on this Service. The method of care must take into consideration the alterations in physiology of the patient. First, the freshly tracheotomized patient is unable to cough efficiently and rid the tracheobronchial tree of secretions.