Patient & Family Resources

A tracheostomy is an opening in the front of the neck which a patient can breathe through. There are various reasons why someone might need a tracheostomy. The commonest reasons are due to a blockage of the normal air passages (nose and mouth or at the back of the throat) or because a patient needs help from a ventilator for more than a few weeks.

We explain why someone might need a tracheostomy, what are the common risks associated the procedure and what are the benefits on the Patient Information page.

This video animation has been developed by Prof David Wald at Barts Health in London and explains what a tracheostomy is and how it is performed.