Occasionally patients with Tracheostomy or Laryngectomy present with difficulty breathing due to problem. As this is rare for us in ED, this situation can be very difficult for all of us. However the protocols below can help.

Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy is simply a passage from the neck into the trachea. In most cases the trachea will still be connected to the nose and mouth (so can breath though their mouth too).

Laryngectomy

Laryngectomy patients have a tracheotomy BUT the larynx has been removed and there is no connection between the trachea and the mouth and nose (so they cant breathe through their mouth)

Further info at: www.tracheostomy.org.uk