How Long Can A Tracheostomy Tube Stay In Body?

Posted on Tue, 22 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 Answered on

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my brother is from egypt he lives there he is 19 and he have had the tracheostomy tube done 17 years ago and we dont know doctors said he can remove it when he is 16 is that true?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
What was the indication for tracheostomy?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Removal of tracheostomy depends of indication for tracheostomy insertion.
If he is having tracheostomy for permanent, non reversible disease then tracheostomy should be kept for life long.
So please let me know the indication for tracheostomy I his case.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your brother. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

he was born with a Larynx defect when he was a baby about a year old we noticed he was suffocating wheezing and rattling badly we rushed him to the emergency room oxygen level was low and doctor said he needs tracheostomy immediately they did it and then they said he has Larynx defects which was blocking airway ..now he is 19 been living with this for past 18 years .. he said he can breath normal when the tube is blocked with no problems and his tracheostomy tube has not been replaced for the past 5 years please advice he can breath great with tube blocked too

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get done CT scan of neck.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
5 years without changing tracheostomy tube is too long.
Tube should be changed ideally every 3 monthly.
Please reply me
1. Was he not do regular follow up with ENT doctor?
2. Has he ever undergone CT scan of neck?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your brother. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar