Reshetov I.V., Fatyanova A.S., Tyukanova E.S., Sukortseva N.S., Agakina Yu.S., Babayeva Yu.V., Shevalgin A.A. Pulmonary rehabilitation of patients after laryngectomy: possibilities of application of heat and moist exchangers. Head and neck. Russian Journal. 2021;9(4):59–66 (In Russian). The authors are responsible for the originality of the data presented and the possibility of publishing illustrative material – tables, figures, photographs of patients.
The effect of continuous use of heat and moist exchangers (HME) after laryngectomy was studied in 30 Russian HME-naїve patients. For each stage (before the use, after 2, 4 and 6 weeks), the mean respiratory status indicator values for cough and sputum according to the CASA-Q scale and the EQ-5D 5L quality of life index were calculated, showing an increase over the course of the study, with the mean increase from 0.84 to 0.96. The results of the study confirm that the regular use of HME has significantly reduced the mean daily frequency of cough attacks and the amount of sputum. The upper respiratory tract condition continued to improve after six weeks, and then stabilized. This is evidenced by a reliable decrease in the mean daily amount of sputum and the number of cough attacks. Such symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue and psychological factors (fear, anxiety, depression) have significantly improved. Patients have noted the increased performance. These aspects provide valuable data in favor of the introduction of HME along with voice prostheses as the main means of long-term pulmonary rehabilitation after laryngectomy.
Key words: tracheotomy, laryngectomy, heat exchangers, HME, laryngeal cancer, lung rehabilitation, filter, voice prosthesis
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding.
There was no funding for this study.