title: Tracheostomy management in the chronically ventilated patient.
abstract: Tracheotomy is a fundamentally important technique for managing patients who require long-term mechanical ventilation. Appropriate application of tracheotomy requires a skilled approach for timing the procedure, selecting the appropriate tracheostomy tube appliance, caring for the artificial airway once it is in place, and assisting patients with their specialized needs, such as articulated speech, airway humidification, and oral nutrition. Preparing patients for airway decannulation after they have weaned from mechanical ventilation requires a similar level of skill and attention to detail.
authors: Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. heffnerj@musc.edu
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Heffner
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Hess
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015300:Ventilator Weaning