What Causes Brownish Discharge At The Incision Site Of Tracheotomy Surgery?

Posted on Sat, 13 Jun 2015

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

Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Answered on

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : DEAR SIR,

I was taking care of my grand father who is about 75 year old,

He has gone through a tracheostomy operation,

There has a wound around it due to the mucus collecting around it, I was cleaning it daily twice a day with BETADINE (R) STANDARDISED MICROBICIDAL SOLUTION 10% and then wet the gouse with the betadine in the place of infection for the past 1 week,

From past 2 days the mucus has changed colour , its coming in light redish or brown colour,
he Is not responding to our commands properly, it is coming out from the mouth, nose & below the tracheostomy tube , he is to tired, senses not working properly, eye balls are going up.

I have stopped cleaning with the betadine, I am now cleaning with detol only,

I has happen due to the Betadine or by any other causes for it.

please send the details as soon as possible to the mail id as below
YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Paparaja S (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This may not be because of Betadine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I had gone through your question.

I can understand your concern. This may not because of betadine. The change in color of discharge could be due to tracheostomy tube injury. The symptoms you have described could be due to inadequate oxygen or could be due to tube blockage.
I recommend the following.
1) Take him to a near by doctor and get it examined.
2) He may need to replace the tube after cleaning.
3) Proper tacheostomy care.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any questions, I am happy to help.
Wish him a good health and speedy recovery.

Regards,
Dr Paparaja S MBBS MS
Consultant ENT Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad