What is a potential complication associated with long-term use of a tracheostomy tube?

Long-term use of a tracheostomy tube can lead to complications, among which infection at the insertion site is significant. The insertion site is typically an area exposed to external pathogens and can become colonized by bacteria. Moisture and secretions can accumulate around the stoma, which can contribute to bacterial growth and subsequent infection. Careful maintenance, including regular cleaning and monitoring of the stoma site, is essential to minimize the risk of infection.

While issues such as dehydration of the lungs may occur due to the bypassing of the upper respiratory tract, leading to less humidified air, infections remain a more direct and frequent concern requiring vigilant management. Internal bleeding can sometimes occur, but it is typically related to initial insertion rather than long-term use. The loss of vocal cords is not a direct complication of tracheostomy tubes; instead, it results from other factors (like trauma) or may occur if the tracheostomy is placed high in the neck, affecting the surrounding structures. Therefore, the most immediate and probable complication regarding ongoing care is indeed infection at the insertion site.