THE management of patients with decreased pulmonary efficiency and excessive bronchial secretions is often facilitated by the use of a tracheostomy. This is frequently done at the completion of a long or difficult operation, but it is also being used more and more to improve the medical management of certain patients with pulmonary problems. The aid of the various respirators to assist or control respiration has been of great benefit. A cuffed endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube with attached balloon is necessary for the unconscious patient and often used for the conscious patient during the acute phase of treatment. The . . .