An animation depicting the sagittal view of the pediatric airway underdoing a tracheostomy. Airway anatomy in this view includes the nasal passage, oral passage, larynx, and the trachea. Normally, air flows down through the nose and mouth, through the trachea, and down into the lungs. The patient presented with a subglottic hemangioma that restricted airflow and required surgical intervention. After surgery, scar tissue immediately develops into a new subglottic lesion, requiring a tracheostomy. The tracheostomy tube is inserted into the trachea for air to flow into the lungs. Mucus then starts to accumulate in the airway, triggering coughing and bronchospasms that obstructs the tracheostomy tube and blocks airflow. The tube has to be replaced to clear the mucus blockage and return normal airflow.
