Question for doctors? when to remove tracheo tube?

Question

i have a relative with tracheostomy tube. he was post craniect. there are still a few secretions being suctioned and he still coughs.. is it ok if the tracheo tube is removed (by the doctor of course) even if he still has secretions?

Answer 1

If he has a tracheostomy tube (hole in the neck), then he needs to be evaluated by an ENT surgeon before that is removed, to make sure that he can maintain his airway without difficulty.

If he has an endotracheal tube (through the mouth or nose into the trachea), then there are a number of considerations that determine when it is safe to remove the tube.  He has to have the reflexes to handle his secretions, and he has to have the drive and strength to breathe.  His pre-op lung function will impact how easy it is to get him breathing on his own, and his brain function after surgery may also impact this.

Secretions aren't as big a deal, and he'll probably do better without that tube than with it with regard to clearing secretions.  The tube is much narrower than the natural airway, and is more easily clogged.