Maryanne Conklin asked about why Dad has been intubated and on a ventilator for so long. Here's my understanding:
There was a brief time after the accident that Dad was breathing on his own, but he quickly developed complications. Because one of the fractures is in the C2 vertebra just at the back of the throat, the swelling and hematomas there started interfering with his breathing. As he became unable to swallow and expel secretions, he became agitated and in danger, and so the tube was inserted to protect his ability to breathe. They were unwilling to remove it since the surgery would exacerbate the things that caused those difficulties in the first place. If I understand this correctly, once a patient is intubated he needs to be heavily sedated because the tube is so uncomfortable.
The tracheotomy, which they will perform perhaps on Monday, will allow them to remove the tube and dial back the sedation, and he will be infinitely more comfortable and alert. The tracheotomy will eventually heal -- it won't be a permanent hole in his throat.
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Thanks Debby,
Pretty much what I thought was going on. Some people on vents don't need very much sedation, but most do. When Tom woke up on the vent he wanted that thing out. He was awake for about 2 hours before they got him off it. He said it was the worse part of his by pass. It's hard for awake patients not to fight it. They calling "bucking the vent."
The trach is easier, if still needed to protect his airway. I had a patient with a trach the last three days I worked. People can even go home with them if need be.
Thanks for explaining his situation for the vent.
Maryanne
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