How will the quality of life be for a 77-year-old patient after a tracheostomy?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My 77-year-old father is in intensive care unit (ICU), and he is advised for a tracheostomy procedure. Kindly help me know the quality of life and survival rate after this procedure. Thanks.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for your query. Tracheostomy is needed if a patient has difficulty in weaning with a ventilator. However, the quality of life after the ventilator depends upon the hygienic care during suction and tube change. A need for tracheostomy depends upon the patient's health condition and the physician's opinion. Is your father still on a ventilator? And how much is his saturated oxygen (SpO2)? Thanks.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My father is on T piece oxygen therapy. The ventilator is already off. He is conscious and responding sometimes. As per the intensive care unit (ICU) team, he is not able to remove secretion like phlegm by himself, and so a tracheostomy is a must. My query is, what is the quality of life and survival chances o my father after a tracheostomy? Thanks.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. Many patients do well with tracheostomy for a year or two, and later it will be removed. However, as your patient is old and cannot remove secretions on his own, you will need to suction out his secretions. His prognosis at home depends upon nursing care. If his secretions do not thin out, then it will lead to blockage of the tube. If your patient has poor consciousness, then it will be difficult to manage the patient at home. However, the patient can have a good prognosis in a good conscious level and good nursing care. Regards.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Ask your health query to a doctor online
*guaranteed answer within 4 hours
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.