The Head and Neck iiy 



TRACHEOTOMY. 



This operation is indicated whenever dangerous dyspnea is 

 induced by the following conditions : acute inflammatory and edema- 

 tous affections of the larynx and tongue, and the presence of impact- 

 ed foreign bodies in the larynx and pharynx. It is also resorted to 

 for the removal of foreign bodies from the larynx and trachea. 

 The technic is as follows: Place the animal in the dorsal position 

 and extend the head and neck fully. Divide the skin and sub- 

 jacent fascia with one firm incision. Quickly separate the fibers 

 of the sterno-hyoid and sterno-thyroid muscles by teasing until the 

 rings of the trachea are exposed. Pass a sharp hook into the lower 

 border of the cricoid cartilage and elevate this. With a sharp curved 

 bistoury cut through two or three rings of the trachea in the middle 

 line but not too deeply. The incision may be simple, the edges of 

 the severed rings being stitched to the cutaneous wound or a cir- 

 cular portion may be removed and a tracheotomy tube inserted, the 

 latter being held in position by tapes tied round the neck. The 

 inner tube must be removed every few hours for the purpose of re- 

 moving accumulations of mucus which if allowed to take place 

 quickly obliterate the passage. Stitching of the trachea should be 

 avoided if possible, as the stitches tend to cut through the cartilage, 

 and if renewed very often lead to necrosis of the parts. A dog 

 wearing a tracheotomy tube must be closely watched, as some ani- 

 mals make persistent efforts to rid themselves of the instrument. 



BIBLIOeRAPHY. 



Boomay — Rec. de MSd. Vet^r. May, 1894. 



DIeterlchs — Cited by Cadlot & Almy In Tralte de Thfir. Ohlr. d. An. Dom. 



Glnck & Zeller — Langenbeck'B Archir. f. kiln. Ghlrur. 26. p. 427, 



Gobler— Cited by Cadfiac In Pathol, des An, Oom, 



Meanard— Bev. V6t6r. 1902. 



Walley — Joum, Comp, Pathol. & Therap. 1893, p, 80, 



