Overview Tracheostomy is an important tool for managing critically ill patients or patients with upper airway obstructions. A tracheostomy tube can be placed either temporarily (e.g., surgical procedure) or long term (e.g., laryngeal paralysis).

  • Most tubes come with an obturator, which aids in insertion and is removed after placement
  • 15 mm connector; this is the same fitting as an endotracheal tube and allows hookup to anesthesia hose
  • Pliable wings or flanges allows tying the tubes in place with cotton (umbilical) tape or gauze
  • Cuffed tubes are needed when assisting ventilation
  • Tubes are single lumen cannula
  • 100% silicone that softens at body temperature
  • Cuffed tubes are high volume, low pressure and profile
  • Tracheostomy tubes are sized by their ID tubes, should be ~ 50% of the tracheal lumen width
  • The trachea changes diameter during the respiratory cycle
  • The tracheal body is wider than the laryn

Cuffed Tubes

Single Lumen Uncuffed Pediatric Tubes

Uncuffed Tubes