Tracheotomy with a ballpoint | Tracheotomy

Tracheotomy with a ballpoint

An emergency tracheotomy is seldom necessary and without anatomical and medical knowledge, it involves considerable risks. Therefore laymen are strongly advised not to perform it themselves with a ballpoint pen or similar objects such as straws. English scientists published a study in which they tested different ballpoint pens for performing a tracheotomy.

They came to the conclusion that most ballpoint pen models are not suitable for this. If the diameter of the ballpoint pen is too narrow at the pointed end (< 3mm), the ballpoint pen is not able to deliver enough air to the lungs for ventilation. But even puncturing the windpipe can be difficult or even impossible with the blunt end of the ballpoint pen.In addition, an incision would therefore be necessary, as in surgical tracheotomy, which can be associated with a large amount of bleeding and cannot be placed correctly without anatomical knowledge. In total, of eight models tested, only two were theoretically suitable for a tracheotomy. This is therefore rather a film myth that should not be imitated!

Tracheotomy and speech

Since inhalation and exhalation are carried out via the ventilation cannula, which is inserted through the tracheotomy, it is no longer possible to speak in unison if a tracheotomy is present. The air flows through the cannula directly into the lungs and exhalation is also performed directly through the cannula. The upper respiratory tract, larynx and vocal cords are therefore bypassed and no voice is formed.

To enable the patient with tracheotomy to speak nevertheless, so-called speaking valves can be used. These can be attached to the breathing tube. In this case the inhalation is done through the valve, which closes during the exhalation. The air must therefore be exhaled past the larynx and the vocal chords via mouth and nose. The air flowing past the vocal chords can then be used for speaking.

Tracheotomy for COPD

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disease with chronic narrowing of the airways. In severe stages, or if the condition worsens acutely, for example as a result of an infection, the patient may need to be ventilated. A distinction can be made between non-invasive methods (mask ventilation) and invasive methods such as tracheotomy.

These methods are intended to relieve the exhausted respiratory muscles and ensure an adequate supply of oxygen to the body. If mask ventilation is not effective enough or if there are other reasons against a non-invasive ventilation method, a surgical tracheotomy with application of a tracheostoma may be necessary. In addition to ventilation, the tracheotomy also has the advantage that additional secretions in the airways can be suctioned out, thus enabling the airways to be cleaned.

It may well be that invasive ventilation must be continued at home. The ventilation tube can then be changed at home by the patient himself, who can also take care of the tracheotomy.