trach
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Tracheostomy |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
trach stands for Tracheostomy, a respiratory abbreviation.
Surgical or percutaneous opening in the front of the neck into the trachea, with a tube inserted to provide an airway. It is used for prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, inability to clear secretions and some head and neck cancers.
Example: Trach placed on ventilator day 12; tolerating trach collar at 35% FiO2.
Usage notes
A clipped word, written lowercase, also used for the tube itself ("trach tube"). Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy at the bedside is now common in intensive care units. Speaking valves such as the Passy-Muir valve let some patients talk by redirecting air through the vocal cords. Tracheotomy refers strictly to the incision, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- SBT – Spontaneous breathing trial
- SDB – Sleep-disordered breathing
- SIMV – Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
- SOBOE – Shortness of breath on exertion
- SPN – Solitary pulmonary nodule
- TLC – Total lung capacity
- UIP – Usual interstitial pneumonia
- URI – Upper respiratory infection
- URTI – Upper respiratory tract infection
- V/Q – Ventilation-perfusion ratio
- VATS – Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
- VM – Venturi mask
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.