Clinical Indicators
Tracheostomy

Procedure CPT FUD
Tracheostomy 31600 0

Indications
1. History... one or more required
Upper airway obstruction with any of the following:
a) stridor,
b) air hunger,
c) retractions,
d) obstructive sleep apnea with documented arterial desaturation, 
e) bilateral vocal fold paralysis, 
f) previous neck surgery or throat trauma, or 
g) previous irradiation to the neck 
  • Prolonged or expected prolonged intubation 
  • Inability of patient to manage secretions including:
a) aspiration
b) excessive broncho-pulmonary secretions
  • Facilitation of ventilation support.
  • Inability to intubate.
  • Adjunct to manage head & neck surgery.
  • Adjunct to manage significant head & neck trauma.
2. Physical Examination... required
a) Respiration--describe. 
b) Voice--describe. 
c) Endotracheal tube--document if present and for how long? 
d) Larynx--describe, if possible. 
e) Neck examination (always required). 

3. Tests... none required

Postoperative Observations

1. Breathing--satisfactory. Both sides of lung ventilating. 
2. Bleeding from wound? 
3. Subcutaneous emphysema? 
4. Wound packing & sutures--document removal. 
5. Tracheostomy tube, tighten if loose, check cuff for proper inflation. 
6. Chest X-Ray--document. Usually ordered after surgery tocheck for pneumothorax or proper tube placement. 
Outcome Review
1. Document complications for departmental review.

Associated ICD-9 Diagnostic Codes

141.0 M-Neoplasm, Tongue base 
145.9 M-Neoplasm, Mouth NOS 
146.0 M-Neoplasm, Tonsil 
146.9 M-Neoplasm, Oropharynx NOS 
161.0 M-Neoplasm, Glottis 
161.1 M-Neoplasm, Supraglottis 
161.8 M-Neoplasm, Larynx NEC 
212.1 B-Neoplasm, Larynx 
235.1 UB-Neoplasm, Oral cavity/pharynx 
239.1 Respiratory system neoplasm NOS 
478.5 Vocal cord disease NEC 
478.6 Edema of larynx 
478.74 Stenosis of larynx 
478.79 Disease of larynx NEC 
518.5 Post trauma pulmonary insufficiency 
518.8 Disease of lung 
518.81 Respiratory failure 
518.82 Other pulmonary insufficiency 
519.1 Trachea/bronchus disease NEC 
519.8 Respiratory system disease NEC 
786.09 Respiratory abnormality NEC 
799.1 Respiratory arrest 
802.20 Mandible Fx NOS, closed 
802.30 Mandible Fx NOS, open 
802.4 Fx malar/maxillary, closed 
802.5 Fx malar/maxillary, open 

Additional Information
Assistant Surgeon -- N
Supply Charges -- N
Prior Approval -- N

Anesthesia Code(s)
00320

Patient Information

Although often performed as an emergency procedure in life-threatening situations, tracheostomy may also be required for urgent and elective reasons.A tracheostomy is an opening made in the trachea (windpipe) to allow breathingwhen the larynx is obstructed or to permit long-term ventilation of thelungs through a tube inserted into the neck opening. The main complicationis bleeding, and this is often related to the speed required to performthis operation in emergency situations. Other complications include escape of air into the tissues of the neck (subcutaneous emphysema), which is treatable, and postoperative scar formation in the lower neck.

Important Notice
The Clinical Indicators for Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgeryare guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care.The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the processor outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician inlight of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherenceto these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation.The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. emphasizesthat these clinical indicators should not be deemed inclusive of all propertreatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatmentdecisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the sameresults.

© 2000 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.