Noun: tracheotomy ,trey-kee'ó-tu-mee
- A surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air; performed when the pharynx is obstructed by oedema, cancer or other causes
"An emergency tracheotomy was performed to help the patient breathe";
- tracheostomy
Derived forms: tracheotomies
Type of: op [informal], operation, surgery, surgical operation, surgical procedure, surgical process
Encyclopedia: Tracheotomy