Establishing and maintaining patent upper airway is the first and most
vital step in the basic life support and maintenance of artificial airway is the
most fundamental aspect of such support.
The term tracheotomy is derived from the Greek word TOME (to cut)
and implies the performance of a non permanent type of surgery. The term
tracheotomy was actually coined by Lorenz Heister in 1718. The term
tracheostomy is derived from the word STOMOUN (to furnish with an
opening) and implies a more permanent opening into the trachea. The
international organization for standards has named the act of cutting a hole a
tracheotomy. The actual hole and the tube are both called tracheostomy.
Patients with upper airway obstructions commonly have acute
primary uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
_ Tracheostomy under L.A. rapidly improved the acid base and
ventilatory status by relieving the obstruction as evidenced by
statistically significant improvement in ABG value.
_ ABG is very useful diagnostic tool in upper airway obstruction
