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Heat and moisture exchange capacity of the upper respiratory tract and the effect of tracheotomy breathing on endotracheal climate
Author(s) -
Scheenstra Renske J.,
Muller Sara H.,
Vincent Andrew,
Hilgers Frans J. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21408
Subject(s) - tracheotomy , medicine , nose , anesthesia , respiratory tract , ventilation (architecture) , head and neck cancer , breathing , surgery , respiratory system , radiation therapy , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background The aim of this study was to assess the heat and moisture exchange (HME) capacity of the upper respiratory tract and the effect of tracheotomy breathing on endotracheal climate in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods We plotted the subglottic temperature and humidity measurements in 10 patients with head and neck cancer with a temporary precautionary tracheotomy during successive 10‐minute periods of nose, mouth, and tracheotomy breathing in a randomized sequence. Results End‐inspiratory temperatures of nose, mouth, and tracheotomy breathing were 31.1, 31.3, and 28.3°C, respectively. End‐inspiratory humidity measurements of nose, mouth, and tracheotomy breathing were 29.3, 28.6, and 21.1 mgH 2 O/L, respectively. There was a trend toward lower end‐inspiratory humidity in patients with radiotherapy or with large surgery‐induced oropharyngeal mucosal defects, whereas temperatures were similar. Conclusion This study gives objective information about the HME capacity of the upper respiratory tract in patients with head and neck cancer with precautionary tracheotomy, and thus provides target values for HMEs for laryngectomized and tracheotomized patients. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011