Tracheostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the front of the neck into the trachea (windpipe), through which a tube is inserted to provide an airway for breathing. Like intubation, a tracheostomy typically prevents or significantly impairs speech because air no longer passes through the vocal cords in the usual way. Tracheostomy patients may have longer-term communication needs than intubated patients, as some tracheostomies are maintained for weeks or months. Speaking valves can sometimes be used with tracheostomy tubes to redirect airflow through the vocal cords, but these are not always clinically appropriate, making AAC devices an important communication support.