Doctors replace Giffords' breathing tube
An undated photo of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who was shot Jan. 8, 2011, while meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz. Credit: Getty Images
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords no longer needs a ventilator after doctors replaced her breathing tube with a different one.
Hospital officials say that Giffords underwent a procedure Saturday morning to have a tracheotomy tube inserted in her windpipe to protect her airways, freeing her from the ventilator. She had been breathing on her own since she was shot in the head Jan. 8, but doctors had left the tube in as a precaution.
Doctors also inserted a feeding tube to provide nutrition. These procedures are not out of the ordinary for brain-injured patients.
Giffords, who was wounded in last weekend's attack that killed six people, remains in critical condition.
Her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, has remained by her bedside.
One patient was discharged Saturday while two others remain in good condition.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.
