Trach

[joneal]

I had an emergency trach for 4 weeks - it was removed 2 weeks ago.  Since then I have really great days and then days where breathing seems labored.  I was on steroids but am now weaning off of those.  It is especially bothersome at night - I try to sleep lying down and sometimes can then other nights I sleep upright in a recliner.  Some days my voice is strong, almost normal and others it goes right back to being weak.  What is a normal recup time from a trach?  Does this sound normal?  I had a procedure to check for any windpipe abnormalies but none were found other than 'swollen tissue' around the vocal chords.

[joneal]

App 10 days ago ( a week after trach removal) I began o experience brathing problems and immediately went to my ENT here in my home town.  He could not see below the voacl chords without re-trach and going in to view y windpipe.  I immediately went to Atlanta (Emory) where the equipment was available to view below the chords without a trach.  At that time the only findings were - granulation which was normal and to be expected) and swelling of tissue around the vocal chords.  I was originally in surgery for breast cancer but something happened as I was 'paralized' to be intubated and the intubation was impossible - an emer. trach was performed.   I have never been given a difinitive reason but have heard several possibilities;  swollen tissue, bone growth in neck (ruld out by CT) , but nothing definitive.   It has just been referred to as 'difficult intubation'.
The firt 2 days on steroids were good - voice was strong and breathing was improved but as the steroid doesage as been weaned the issues have returned.  I am not sure what to expect in recovery following the trach and it's removal.  Voice wise and other wise.

[Steven Y Park, MD]

It's difficult to say exactly what's going on without examining you, but if your problem doesn't get better gradually, see your surgeon. There are a number of unusual situations where you can have issues after a trach tube is taken out.