Ex vivo humidifying capacity and patient acceptability of stoma cloths in laryngectomized individuals

Abstract

Although less acceptable to patients who use an HME, stoma cloths do provide significant humidifying capacity and should be encouraged when HMEs are unavailable or inappropriate. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 921-931, 2017.

Heat and moisture exchanger cassettes: Results of a quality/safety initiative to reduce postoperative mucus plugging after total laryngectomy

“…Stoma cloths (or bibs), while less favored by most patients, afford adequate humidification when worn properly and warrant consideration if HME use is impractical or unavailable. 26 Adopting HME use in the immediate postoperative period did not significantly affect long-term HME adherence. This may be because long-term adherence with HME use was high in both cohorts.…”

Cost‐effectiveness analysis of using the heat and moisture exchangers compared with alternative stoma covers in laryngectomy rehabilitation:USperspective

“…Moreover, the ASCs always have air leaks in daily practice, thereby significantly decreasing its efficacy. 6 The benefits of the HMEs have also been demonstrated in previous studies, including level-1-based evidence. 4,[9][10][11] Histologically, the HME diminishes changes in the airways including loss of tracheal ciliated cells, occurrence of hyperplasia and metaplasia, and deficiencies in airway clearance.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] The functioning of the upper respiratory tract can be restored by certain devices to optimize pulmonary rehabilitation such as the heat and moisture exchanger (HME) providing stoma coverage, and to some extent alternative stoma covers (ASCs, eg, as foam pads or cloth bibs). 3,6 For more than two decades, the HME has been established to optimize laryngectomy rehabilitation by reducing pulmonary complaints. The HME is a medical device that consists of a housing/cassette containing material that provides a large surface for condensation and evaporation of moisture during exhalation and inhalation, respectively.…”

“…Moreover, with ASC the breathing air can easily bypass the cover, diminishing its efficacy. 6 In general, patients prefer HMEs for comfort and hygiene.…”

“…These symptoms can have a great impact on daily life of patients, as they can negatively influence physical functioning, quality of voice, and psychosocial well‐being 2‐5 . The functioning of the upper respiratory tract can be restored by certain devices to optimize pulmonary rehabilitation such as the heat and moisture exchanger (HME) providing stoma coverage, and to some extent alternative stoma covers (ASCs, eg, as foam pads or cloth bibs) 3,6 . For more than two decades, the HME has been established to optimize laryngectomy rehabilitation by reducing pulmonary complaints.…”