Question

Which tracheal ring should not be cut in tracheostomy?

Answer 1

Thanks for the question!

It is definitely a very interesting question to solve and do some brainstorming.

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Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure requiring a incision on the tracheal region by which a extended tube or Tracheostomy tube is placed in the incised area in the anterior region, a hole is cut through for this purpose to allow a person to breathe through the apparatus without the requirement of using a mouth or nose for supplication of air and/or oxygen or other gases into the body. To do this there is a demand of isthmus which is the connection centre and lies over the 2nd and 3rd tracheal ring. For this a dissection and incision is done to push down the isthmus of thyroid gland a little downward for the placement of the tube. Since, the gland (isthmus of thyroid gland) lies at the 2nd and 3rd region of tracheal ring, the incision and dissection for the placement of the Tracheostomy tube should always be done throughout the upper anterior trachea around 2nd to 4th ring of trachea, any rupture done through the lower or upper limit can lead to fracturing of the tracheal ring and cartilage. So, except 2nd to 4th ring (which can be cut) rest of the tracheal rings should be spared in order to organise a perfect surgery.

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Hope it helps and solves your query!!