title: Management of the chronically ventilated patient with a tracheostomy.
abstract: Tracheostomy is the most common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients. For those who survive their critical illnesses but remain ventilator-dependent, tracheostomy provides patients with a secure airway that frees the mouth for oral nutrition, enhances verbalized speech, and promotes generalized comfort. Avoiding complications from tracheostomy requires a skilled multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, 169 Ashley Avenue, PO Box 250332, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. Heffnerj@musc.edu
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Heffner
mesh_terms: D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D014139:Tracheostomy