tracheotomy

American  

[trey-kee-ot-uh-mee] / ˌtreɪ kiˈɒt ə mi /

noun

Surgery.

plural

tracheotomies

1. the operation of cutting into the trachea.

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tracheotomy British  

/ ˌtrækɪˈɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the trachea, usually performed when the upper air passage has been blocked

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Other Word Forms

• tracheotomist noun

Etymology

Origin of tracheotomy

First recorded in 1720–30; tracheo- + -tomy

Example Sentences

Due to this, and the damage to his spine, Ryan had to be ventilated and had a tracheotomy to help with his breathing while he was in the coma.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024

The boy was taken to Rotherham District General Hospital where doctors attempted to carry out a tracheotomy, a procedure to help air and oxygen reach the lungs.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2024

He felt this technique would be far less disruptive to the person's life than either constantly being tired during the day or, as a last resort, punching a hole in their throat with a tracheotomy.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2023

Compared with the 2011 images, these were toned down—no more tracheotomy holes—and the FDA dropped the 1-800-QUIT-NOW number that the courts had specifically criticized.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2023

The kit had had a Swiss Army knife, but Jack broke it performing an emergency tracheotomy on the dinosaur rock at the park.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu