Qiao is still in the hospital recuperating, but he's doing much better now. He had what was hopefully his last (and most complex) surgery a few days ago, on his foot. Thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes.
Words of the Day:
tracheotomy / tracheostomy
stoma - the incision through the skin and trachea through which the tube is passed
cuff - an inflatable balloon positioned around the tube *inside* the airway (not something by the stoma, as I first assumed).
decannulization - removal of the tracheostomy tube. A dressing is applied over the site, and it heals shut on its own. Surgical closure is usually *not* required.
Words of the Day:
tracheotomy / tracheostomy
stoma - the incision through the skin and trachea through which the tube is passed
cuff - an inflatable balloon positioned around the tube *inside* the airway (not something by the stoma, as I first assumed).
decannulization - removal of the tracheostomy tube. A dressing is applied over the site, and it heals shut on its own. Surgical closure is usually *not* required.