TRACHEOSTOMY

Indications of tracheostomy

1. For felieving upper airway obstruction - this is done in cases of carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx when these are obstructing the airways and also after laryngectomy for maintainance of airways. Also in cases of foreign bodies and diseases compromising airways like dyptheria and retro and para pharyngeal abscesses, ludwig's angina etc
2. For tracheo-bronchial toilet in cases of long standing illness like CVA
3. For assisted ventillation
4. To decrease the dead space
5. For other surgeries like long surgeries of oro maxillary areas, and in cases where patient is not able to open mouth like TM joint ankylosis or mass obstructing in the oral cavity and pharynx
6. For treatment of diseases like obstructive sleep apnoea.