0 an operation to open the trachea (= the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs) through the front of the neck if it becomes blocked for any reason:
Approximately 5% of patients eventually choose to have tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, which can extend survival indefinitely despite continuing disease progression.
I had consulted with an ethicist about doing a tracheostomy.
Death from any cause, tracheostomy, or chronic assisted ventilation was considered a survival endpoint.
It would be best if he could go home, but he cannot because it would be too dangerous because of his tracheostomy.
He had a tracheostomy for breathing and a jejunostomy tube for nutrition and hydration.
Eventually, they become bedbound and require breathing support, first by noninvasive ventilation, then eventually tracheostomy with mechanical ventilation.
This is extremely important when treating patients with wounds or burns, or patients with catheters or tracheostomies.
Deaths (or tracheostomy) were reported as they occurred: either event was considered a survival endpoint.