Tracheostomy in Palliative Care

The use of tracheostomy in palliative care offers a viable option for airway control. Through a dialogue with the patient, family, and a multidisciplinary set of providers, this procedure can be a useful component to a patient's overall palliative care plan. The authors discuss techniques for placing a tracheostomy tube and indications for placement in palliative care for alleviation of chronic and acute symptoms.