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Chapter 12 - Tracheotomy and Tracheal Cannulas in Neurologic Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2025

By
Janina Runkel  and
Teresa Grimm
Edited by
Martin Groß ,
Eelco F. M. Wijdicks ,
Maxwell S. Damian  and
Oliver Summ
Martin Groß
Affiliation:
MEDIAN Clinic Bad Tennstedt
Eelco F. M. Wijdicks
Affiliation:
Mayo Clinic
Maxwell S. Damian
Affiliation:
Basildon University Hospitals
Oliver Summ
Affiliation:
Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg
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Summary

Tracheotomy is inevitable in long-term critical illness. Similarly, tracheotomy is warranted in neurocritically ill patients with anticipated long recovery trajectories. Using tracheal cannulas for patients with neurogenic diseases is a common method to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, endotracheal suctioning and/or reduce aspiration. Tracheal cannulas can also be used outside the hospital for the long-term care of patients, when mechanical ventilation and or when endotracheal suctioning is needed, due to tracheobronchial secretions and insufficient cough. This chapter presents in detail the different procedures of tracheotomy and associated complications. Different types of tracheal cannulas are introduced and the management of tracheostomy and tracheal cannulas is outlined. The use of a tracheal cannula entails selecting the right cannula for the patient’s needs and rehabilitation goals. Handling a tracheal cannula also consists of changing the cannula and cannula care. The aim of speech and language therapy along with dysphagia therapy is to enable the patient to participate in society.

Keywords

tracheal cannulatracheotomytracheostomaindicationneurologydisorderproceduredecannulation

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Chapter
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Clinical Neurorespiratory Medicine , pp. 137 - 148
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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