238. Catch a Breath - Tracheostomy 101

This episode of "The Intern At Work" titled "Catch a Breath, an Introduction to Tracheostomies," provides an overview of tracheostomies, discussing their history, the difference between tracheotomy and tracheostomy, and the optimal placement of tracheostomies. It covers indications, contraindications, and the use of tracheostomies following laryngectomies. The podcast details the components of tracheostomy tubes, including flanges, hubs, and cannulas, and explains the differences between cuffed, uncuffed, fenestrated, and unfenestrated tubes, as well as sizing systems. It also explores tracheostomy procedures like open surgical approaches, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT), and cricothyrotomy, along with potential early and late complications and the process of decannulation. The episode concludes with a "Medicine Minute" discussing the TRACMAN trial, which compared early versus late tracheostomies in critical care patients.