The Mayo Clinic describes a tracheostomy as a surgically created hole through the front of the neck and into the windpipe or trachea. The surgical procedure to create this opening is called a tracheotomy.
A tracheostomy provides an air passage to help the patient breathe when the usual route for breathing is obstructed or impaired. A tracheostomy is often needed when health problems require the use of a ventilator to help the patient breathe.