First, there are a few basic parts of a tracheostomy tube. They are the outer cannula, inner cannula, and obturator.
The picture displayed above depicts the three basic parts of a tracheostomy tube. From the left, the outer cannula, the inner cannula, and then the obturator are displayed. The outer portion of the cannula is the portion of the tracheostomy tube that is on the outside of the tracheostomy tube. It has a face plate which hooks tracheostomy ties to it to hold the tube in place to prevent movement, or falling out with excessive coughing. The inner cannula fits into the outer cannula and has a lock to keep it from falling out. This is the part of the tracheostomy tube that can be washed and reused dependent upon the type of tracheostomy tube your child has. The obturator is a small white insert that fits inside of the inner trach tube and allows easier replacement of the inner cannula. Because it blocks the airway, it must be quickly removed following placement of the inner cannula.
There are many different types of tracheostomy tubes, including: a cuffed tube with disposable inner cannula, cuffed tube with reusable inner cannula, cuffless tube with disposable inner cannula, cuffed tube with reusable inner cannula, fenestrated cuffed tracheostomy tube, fenestrated cuffless tracheostomy tube, and metal tracheostomy tubes.
There are many different types of tracheostomy tubes, including: a cuffed tube with disposable inner cannula, cuffed tube with reusable inner cannula, cuffless tube with disposable inner cannula, cuffed tube with reusable inner cannula, fenestrated cuffed tracheostomy tube, fenestrated cuffless tracheostomy tube, and metal tracheostomy tubes.
Types of trach tubes
There are a myriad of tracheostomy tube options that your child may have over the course of their time with a tracheostomy. This can cause anxiety and stress for caregivers if one is not familiar with the different types or why there are so many options. This simple presentation depicts common types of trach tubes and why a child may have the certain type that he or she has. Knowing why each is used can help caregivers be involved in the decision-making process of your child’s tracheostomy tube. This will empower caregivers and decrease anxiety about your child’s tracheostomy tube. This graph was found on the Johns Hopkins website.
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References
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/tracheostomy/about/types.html