What Is a Tracheostomy?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. Tracheostomy
If, for whatever reason, the passageway into the windpipe is blocked then emergency steps need to be taken to ensure that air can still get into the windpipe and into the lungs. Sometimes, this means bypassing the rest of the airways and creating a passage directly into the windpipe itself.
In order to achieve this, a hole is cut directly into the windpipe just below the voice box. A tube can then be inserted so air can be slowly pumped in, feeding the lungs with oxygen. This is usually done in a hospital or ambulance, but in some extreme emergencies, this is done using more rudimentary equipment.
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