How Do You Confirm a Tracheostomy Placement

A suction catheter placed into the open airway can be used as a guide for tracheostomy tube insertion. Correct placement is confirmed by direct visualization, end-tidal CO2, ease of ventilation and adequate oxygen saturation. Flexible video bronchoscopy offers adjunctive confirmation and helps bronchial clearance.

How do you check for placement of a tracheostomy?

Use an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector (i.e., continuous waveform capnography, colorimetric and non-waveform capnography) to evaluate and confirm endotracheal tube position in patients who have adequate tissue perfusion.

Is a tracheostomy above or below the cricoid cartilage?

Incision for the tracheostomy is made either transversely or vertically, approximately 2 fingerbreadths above the sternal notch. An emergency cricothyroidotomy is performed between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage.