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Are there instances where tracheostomy alone without mechanical ventilation can be sufficient to manage neuromuscular respiratory failure?

1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Pulmonology · University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
Answered on

This is a very rare circumstance in our assisted ventilation clinic. This situation usually arises because a patient underwent tracheostomy during an acute illness while they were requiring invasive ventilatory support, and were able to wean from the ventilator but had dyspnea or hypercarbia while trying to cap the tracheostomy. In these situations, depending on patient circumstances (ability to support invasive or noninvasive ventilation at home), we might engage in shared decision making to follow closely with a tracheostomy in place and without ventilatory support.

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