Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure to create a hole by making an incision in the windpipe or trachea, through the neck. The trachea is the windpipe, 4 inches in length and it starts just below the voice box, known as larynx. Tracheostomy is done when the normal airway or breathing route through the nose or mouth is obstructed. Tracheostomy is helpful in proper breathing till the patient is on a long-term ventilator or in accident cases, where the airway gets suddenly blocked after a traumatic injury to neck or face. This procedure involves the use of a tube (tracheostomy tube/Trach tube) which is put in the tracheal opening to keep the breathing undisturbed. The tracheostomy tube is placed below the vocal cords. A tracheostomy can be a permanent procedure or temporary. If a tracheostomy is not needed anymore, the hole is either closed surgically or allowed to heal.