Tracheostomy vs Tracheotomy
Question: I read that a breathing specialist at Rutgers University does NOT recommend tracheostomies for polio survivors. Can you give me more information? And what is the difference between a tracheostomy and a tracheotomy?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: A tracheotomy is an incision made on the front of the neck, below the vocal cords, opening a direct emergency airway to the lungs through the trachea (windpipe) allowing a person to breathe without the use of the nose or mouth.
A tracheostomy is a permanent, surgically created stoma (opening) into the trachea.
Dr. John Bach, the physician that I describe as the world’s expert on breathing and polio, says NO polio survivor should have a tracheostomy unless there is damage to the upper airway stopping the flow of air. The treatment for sleep-disordered breathing or inadequate breathing during the day is the use of positive pressure ventilation via a volume ventilator, not CPAP.
Dr. Bach’s website, videos and contact information:
• www.BreatheNVS.com (or) www.doctorbach.com
• Videos :
• John R. Bach, MD Faculty Video Profile
• John R. Bach, MD Noninvasive ventilatory care in patients with breathing muscle weakness
• John R. Bach, MD Ways to Avoid Respiratory Complications with Polio and Post