Tracheostomy

What it is

Tracheostomy is one of the ways to secure the airway. Where an airway has to be secured it is grouped with BMV ventilation and with intubation, and it is the one chosen when intubation cannot be done. In the ABC list the airway options run: clear airway, suction, head tilt chin lift, nasopharyngeal tube, tracheostomy. On inspection of the chest it is one of the oxygen aids to look for from the end of the bed, with nasal cannula and masks.

Tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy

The files separate the two by setting. Tracheostomy is what the ENT emergencies and the thyroid pages name when the airway has to be secured and held. Cricothyrotomy is named in one place, the collapsing airway of the allergic patient: anticipate airway closure; intubation is usually difficult and if it is not possible use a surgical airway; immediate intubation if there is impending airway obstruction from angioedema, and cricothyrotomy may be needed. So the emergency neck that cannot wait is written as cricothyrotomy, and the secured airway that is kept is written as tracheostomy.