The key difference between fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube is that a fenestrated tracheostomy tube has a small opening or hole in the side of it, while a non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube does not have a small opening or hole in the side of it.
Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure for people facing difficulties in breathing. This procedure involves making an incision in the neck in order to create an opening into the trachea. Then a tracheostomy tube is inserted into the opening to provide an artificial airway. Generally, there are two types of tracheostomy tubes: fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tubes.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube
3. What is a Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube
4. Similarities – Fenestrated and Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube
5. Fenestrated vs Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Fenestrated vs Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube
What is a Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube?
A fenestrated tracheostomy tube is a type of tracheostomy tube that does have a small hole in the side of it (above the cuff), which allows the air to enter. The patient who is using this type of tracheostomy tube is able to speak with the tube in place. Fenestration simply means that there is a hole or opening in the shaft of the tube. Without this type of small opening, there will be no airflow passing through the vocal cords. This means that the patient will be unable to speak with the tube in place.
Figure 01: Fenestrated and Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tubes
Moreover, tracheostomy tube suctioning is a therapeutic procedure that normally removes the secretion from the trachea with the use of a suction catheter. This procedure will ultimately prevent the accumulation of secretions in the airways that can obstruct breathing. When using a fenestrated tracheostomy tube, it is important to be cautious due to the presence of a small opening on the side of the tube. The suction catheter can go through this small hole and can cause damage to the tissues in the tracheal wall.
What is a Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube?
A non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube is a type of tracheostomy tube that does not have a small opening or a hole in the side of it. This means that the air cannot pass through the vocal cords while using a non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube. With this type of tube in place, the patient will be unable to speak.
A non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube is the first type of tracheostomy tube that is inserted when a patient faces difficulty in breathing. Anyhow, if a patient needs a long-time tracheostomy placement or support, a fenestrated tracheostomy is usually inserted. This allows the patient to communicate properly.
What are the Similarities Between Fenestrated and Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube?
- Fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tubes are two different types of tracheostomy tubes.
- Both types of tracheostomy tubes are composed of several common parts that provide artificial airways, such as an inner cannula, outer cannula, pilot balloon, cuff, flange, obturator, etc.
- These tubes assist and save the lives of millions of people.
- Both types of tracheostomy tubes can cause a few complications.
What is the Difference Between Fenestrated and Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube?
A fenestrated tracheostomy tube is a type of tracheostomy tube that does have a small opening or hole in the side of it, while a non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube is a type of tracheostomy tube that does not have a small opening or hole in the side of it. Thus, this is the key difference between fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube. Furthermore, a fenestrated tracheostomy tube is used if a patient needs a long time tracheostomy placement or support. On the other hand, the non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube is used if a patient needs a short time tracheostomy placement or support.
The below infographic presents the differences between fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Fenestrated vs Non-fenestrated Tracheostomy Tube
Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that helps people who face difficulties in breathing. In this procedure, a tracheostomy tube is inserted into an opening in the neck to provide an artificial airway to assist a patient who can’t breathe. There are two types of tracheostomy tubes: fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube. A fenestrated tracheostomy tube has a small opening or hole in the side of it. The non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube does not have a small opening or hole in the side of it. So, this is the key difference between fenestrated and non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube.
Reference:
1. Pandian, Vinciya, et al. “Are Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tubes Still Valuable?” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Aug. 2019.
2. “Fenestrated vs Unfenestrated Tracheostomy.” Tracheostomy Education, 9 Apr. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Diagram showing a fenestrated and a non fenestrated tracheostomy tube CRUK 066” By Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia