tracheostomy

Advanced 🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Definition

An emergency surgical procedure where doctors cut a hole in your neck and stick a tube in your windpipe to help you breathe when the usual routes aren't working. It's the medical equivalent of breaking a window when the door won't open, except way more sterile and performed by professionals. Often a lifesaving intervention that looks exactly as dramatic as it sounds.

Example Usage

The trauma surgeon performed an emergency tracheostomy after the patient's airway became completely blocked.

Source: Medical procedure terminology

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