Lesson 6.4: Inner Cannula Care

A tube that fits inside the outer cannula of a tracheostomy tube, and is used to manage secretions, airflow and speech, suctioning (non-fenestrated).

• It provides safety, easy to clean and maintain tube patency
• In emergency, tubes are easy removed to restore patency of a blocked tube
• It must be removed every 3-4 hours to avoid build-up of secretions
• Clean spare inner cannula should be inserted before cleaning the recently removed one to avoid soiling of the dressing
• Inner cannula must be cleaned using sterile water/ hydrogen peroxide, not under tap water, must not be kept in water after cleaning and must be air-dry before use