return to: Tracheotomy, Tracheostomy & Modifications
Video describing tracheotomy use is located below
Other 'suction-above-the-cuff" tracheotomy tubes are also available ("Blom tracheotomy tube with disposable suction-above-the-cuff inner cannula' (Rabach et al. 2015)
As per Ledgerwood et al. (2013): "'decreasing the load of oropharygneal secretions that enter the airway or the bacterial colonization of the airway effectively reduces the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia"
References
Coffman H, Rees CJ, Sievers AEF and Belafsky PC: Proximal suction tracheotomy tube reduces aspiration volume Otolaryngology-- Head and Neck Surgery (2008) 138, 441-445
Ledgerwood LG, Salgado MD, Black H, Yoneda K, Sievers A, Belafsky PC: Tracheotomy Tubes With Suction Above the Cuff Reduce the Rate of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit Patients. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology 122(1):3-8
Rabach L, Siegel MD, Puchalski JT, Towle D, Follert M, Johnson KM, Rademaker AW, Leder SB: Use of the Blom Tracheotomy Tube with Suction Inner Cannula to Decontaminate Microorganisms from the Subglottic Space. A Proof of Concept. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2015 Jun:12(6):859-63