Photobiomodulation for tracheostomy and airway wound healing

Tracheostomy-related pressure injuries and peristomal airway breakdown remain important complications despite standardized bundles and improved tube design.Photobiomodulation (PBM) applies non-thermal red or near-infrared light to modulate the mitochondrial activity, inflammation, perfusion, and tissue repair, with an emerging evidence base in cutaneous wounds and respiratory and tracheal models.This narrative review, written from a nursing practice perspective, synthesizes data on tracheostomy-related wounds, core PBM mechanisms, airway-directed applications, and emerging airway and peristomal data and summarizes the PBM dose-response principles and illustrative parameter ranges relevant to tracheostomy care.Building on this foundation, this paper proposes a practical nursing care framework, which was used as a pragmatic care pathway for integrating PBM as an adjunct to standard tracheostomy care.The work illustrates potential use cases through four clinical vignettes from intensive care, long-term acute care, pediatric, and hospice settings.This paper highlights the safety considerations, including oncologic caution and airway-specific precautions, and outlines knowledge gaps and priorities for nurse-led trials, registries, and standardized reporting to guide safe, effective implementation across diverse care settings.