What's a tracheotomy?

Air passage: Tracheostomy refers to creating a passage for air directly over the trachea from the front of the neck, thus bypassing the nose and throat. This is performed to overcome obstruction in the throat or to improve breathing efficiency in patients with severe lung disease.

Surgical airway: A tracheotomy is a surgically created opening in the front of the neck, usually fitted with a tube going into the windpipe. It is done for long term ventilation, or to bypass and obstruction higher up in the airway.