Category CCC

The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Assessment of Swallow in a Tracheostomy Patient

The presence of a tracheostomy tube can adversely effect swallowing: in patients who previously had no dysphagia; and further impair swallowing function in those who already have neurological or mechanical disorders of swallowing.

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Anatomy for Tracheostomy

To perfrom a tracheostomy, knowledge of the following is required: surface anatomy, course of the trachea, structure of the tracheal rings, layers of dissection, components of the larynx and related structures

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Timing of Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy is performed in critically ill adults requiring prolonged invasive ventilation as a strategy to: — reduce respiratory tract injury — improve patient comfort, and/or — to facilitate weaning

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube

fenestrated tracheostomy tube. allows patient to breath normally with a tracheostomy in situ. patient can cough and speak through mouth. improves swallow function. acts a step prior to decannulation

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation

Ventilator management should be aimed at getting the patient off ventilator support as rapidly as possible. Weaning can be considered once the underlying process necessitating mechanical ventilation is resolving

CCC Critical Care compendium 340

Percutaneous Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy is an airway that is inserted subglottically through neck tissues directly into the trachea. Surgical Tracheostomy involves dissection and incision of trachea under direct vision.