Tracheostomy
Overview
You may need to have a tracheostomy to help you breathe if your throat is blocked or to remove excess fluid and mucus from your lungs.
During a tracheostomy, a small hole is made at the front of your neck and in your windpipe. A tube is inserted through the hole so you can breathe.
Having a tracheostomy can affect your speech, as well as eating and drinking. As you get used to it these things should become easier.
Risks and possible complications of a tracheostomy include bleeding, damage to the windpipe, and the hole becoming infected after the tube is removed.
A tracheostomy is a procedure where a hole is made at the front of the neck. A tube is inserted through the opening to help you breathe.
Page last reviewed: 26/01/2024
Next review due: 26/01/2027