TRACHEOSTOMY

The other tracheostomy tubes are non metallic ones.There are two types of non metallic tubes, one cuffed and other is non cuffed. The advantage of cuffed tubes is that these seal the lumen of trachea due to inflated cuffs and no aspiration of secretions in tracheo-bronchial tree is there and secondly when the patient is on positive pressure ventilation ,no leakage of air takes place. The disadvantage is that the cuff should be deflated at regular intervals otherwise chances of tracheomalacia are there. The non metallic tubes are made of inert material so less foreign body reaction and they can be easily connected to ventilator. As there is no phonation opening, patient is not able to phonate in initial stages.The tube has a radio opaque line which helps in location of the tube on x-rays.