Uses
Advantages
Disadvantages
Dual Cannula
- Generally preferred in adult patients (inherently safer) and recommended in those on lower respiratory support
- Permits the lumen to be cleaned to prevent blockage
- Reduces the risk of airway obstruction from retained secretions
- Reduces the frequency of tracheostomy tube change from 7-10 days to >28 days
- The presence of an inner cannula reduces the internal diameter of the airway
- May increase the resistance to movement of air and increase the work of breathing, contributing to weaning difficulty
- Necessitates repeated circuit disconnection to facilitate inner cannula exchange
Single Cannula
- Most common in paediatric patients
- May be useful in adults with high respiratory support requirements on humidified closed circuits (benefits of removable cannula may be less marked)
- May reduce the resistance to movement of air and decrease the work of breathing
- Reduces circuit disconnections for tube exchange
- Higher risk of blockage and airway obstruction
- Necessitates external tube change every 7-10 days