Is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) from a tracheostomy permanent?
Mohammed is giving you out-of-date information, in addition to conflicting theory. At the same time, he doesn’t address the tracheostomy or the rehabilitation of swallowing while one has it, or after the removal of the trach. Recovery from dysphagia totally depends on the reason the trach was placed in the first place. If it is there because of total laryngectomy, swallowing will recover on its own unless there is a web or other obstruction. If a patient has had a hemi-laryngectomy, much will depend on the surgical reconstruction of the glottis. A skilled surgeon may be able to build a shelf on the operated side for the remaining vocal cord to close against during swallowing and voicing. This will depend on the size and staging of the removed tissue. If the trach is there because of traumatic brain injury or stroke, and the necessity of the trach for airway maintenance during a coma in the absence of brainstem trauma, swallowing therapy can be initiated even while the trach remains, bu
