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Tracheostomy obstruction
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Pts who have undergone a laryngectomy cannot be orally intubated
- Average size:
- Adult: 5-10mm
- Peds: 2.5-6.5mm
Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
Tracheostomy complications
- Tracheostomy obstruction
- Tracheostomy dislodgement
- Tracheostomy infection
- Tracheostomy bleeding
Evaluation
- Rule-out other causes of respiratory distress before assuming it is due to obstruction
Management
- Preoxygenate and place sterile saline solution into trachea and then suction
- If this fails, inner cannula of tube can be removed and cleaned
