Increased Tracheostoma Valve Seal Duration in Patients With Recessed or Irregular Stomas Using a Modified Application Method

Abstract

The effectiveness of using a skin barrier product in the application of tracheostoma valves to the peristomal skin of laryngectomized patients was investigated. Three patients who expressed a desire to use the tracheostoma valve but had experienced limited or unsuccessful use due to seal failure resulting from stoma irregularities and/or recessed stomas served as case study subjects. Each subject received six applications, three using the manufacturer's prescribed method and three with the procedure modified by use of a skin barrier product. The modified application method included an additional layer of a skin barrier product with an airway hole applied to the peristomal skin under the housing. Results of the study indicated that the addition of a skin barrier product in the application of the tracheostoma valve housing in subjects with recessed or irregular stomas dramatically increased mean seal duration. Subject A showed an increase from 1 hour 8 minutes to 9 hours 26 minutes, subject B's mean seal duration increased from 21 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes, and subject C was able to change from 11 minutes to 8 hours 22 minutes with the modified technique.