Your doctor is sending you home with a tracheostomy tube. You, and a family member or friend, will learn how to take care of it.
What is a tracheostomy?
It is a stoma (a small opening) made in the trachea (your windpipe) where it is close to the skin. A tracheostomy tube is put in to your trachea to help you breathe.
What is a tracheostomy tube?
It is a curved tube that is put in to the stoma in your trachea. Most tracheostomy tubes have 3 parts:
- The obturator guides the tracheostomy tube into the trachea before it is quickly removed.
- The outer cannula keeps the trachea open.
- The inner cannula is placed inside the outer cannula. It can be taken out, cleaned, and put back in.
You must always have the obturator ready to use right away if your tracheostomy tube needs to be changed. Always have the obturator with you.