Management of tracheostomy tube:
A Minute of Meducation:
Tracheostomy tube obstruction with mucous plugging is common.
How to Manage it:
It is best treated with preoxygenation (as suctioning may cause transient hypoxia) and then placing of sterile saline into the trachea and suctioning through large flexible catheters through the inner cannula. If this does not succeed, remove the inner cannula and clean with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water. Sometimes, the entire tracheostomy tube needs to be removed and cleaned. Tracheostomy tubes less than 7 days in maturation should be manipulated only by otolaryngology surgeons. Remember 'Pediatric' tracheostomies do not have inner cannulas.
A Minute of Meducation:
Tracheostomy tube obstruction with mucous plugging is common.
How to Manage it:
It is best treated with preoxygenation (as suctioning may cause transient hypoxia) and then placing of sterile saline into the trachea and suctioning through large flexible catheters through the inner cannula. If this does not succeed, remove the inner cannula and clean with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water. Sometimes, the entire tracheostomy tube needs to be removed and cleaned. Tracheostomy tubes less than 7 days in maturation should be manipulated only by otolaryngology surgeons. Remember 'Pediatric' tracheostomies do not have inner cannulas.
