ABSTRACT

Frequently, pulmonologists are involved in tracheostomized patient’s management. There are well identified situations which negatively impacts in the patient’s well-being. One of them is the incomplete knowledge of the artificial airway performance; similarly the physiology of the lower airway tract. This paper pretend to wide the horizon, from a practical perspective, in order to help in the decision making process related with tracheostomy care. This include humidity, time of insertion and decannulation, secretions management, among other subjects. Undoubtely, the understanding and judicious applications of the topics revised here, will impact in a better care of the tracheostomized patients.

KEYWORDS

Tracheostomy, humidification, decannulation, secretions.

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