 In 1871 , the German surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg ( 1844 – 1924 ) published a paper describing the first successful elective human tracheotomy to be performed for the purpose of administration of general anesthesia . In 1888 , Sir Morell Mackenzie ( 1837 – 1892 ) published a book discussing the indications for tracheotomy . In the early 20th century , tracheotomy became a life @-@ saving treatment for patients afflicted with paralytic poliomyelitis who required mechanical ventilation . In 1909 , Philadelphia laryngologist Chevalier Jackson ( 1865 – 1958 ) described a technique for tracheotomy that is used to this day . 
