Endotracheal temperature and humidity in laryngectomized patients in a warm and dry environment and the effect of a heat and moisture exchanger.

Background: This study was designed to assess endotracheal climate in laryngectomized patients in a warm and dry environment and the effects of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME).

Methods: Endotracheal temperature and humidity were measured in 11 laryngectomized patients with a regularly used HME (Provox Normal HME; R-HME), an HME with antimicrobial filter (Provox Micron HME; F-HME), and without HME (open stoma). Measurements were performed at 32°C, 34°C, and 38°C (<25% relative humidity).

A new heat and moisture exchanger for laryngectomized patients: endotracheal temperature and humidity.

Objective: To assess the endotracheal temperature and humidity and clinical effects of 2 models of a new heat and moisture exchanger (HME): Rplus, which has regular breathing resistance, and Lplus, which has lower breathing resistance.

Methods: We measured endotracheal temperature and humidity in 10 laryngectomized patients, for 10 min each, with and without the HMEs. We sequentially tested 4 HME models (all Atos Medical, Hörby, Sweden), in randomized order: Rplus, Lplus, Provox Normal (the HME we regularly use and which we considered the reference HME), and Stomvent (an older HME model).

Heat and moisture exchange capacity of the upper respiratory tract and the effect of tracheotomy breathing on endotracheal climate.

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.

Short-term endotracheal climate changes and clinical effects of a heat and moisture exchanger with an integrated electrostatic virus and bacterial filter developed for laryngectomized individuals.

Conclusion: Both the regularly used heat and moisture exchanger (R-HME) and the HME with both an antimicrobial and hygroscopic element (F-HME) are effective moisture exchangers. The antimicrobial filter of the F-HME acts as a heat exchanger. The external features of the F-HME were experienced as inconvenient, but decreased sputum production was reported as well.

Influence of breathing resistance of heat and moisture exchangers on tracheal climate and breathing pattern in laryngectomized individuals.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of breathing resistance of heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) on endotracheal climate and breathing pattern.

Methods: Endotracheal temperature and humidity and tidal volumes were measured in 11 laryngectomized patients with a regularly used HME with "standard" breathing resistance (Provox Normal HME; R-HME), a low breathing-resistance HME (Provox HiFlow HME; L-HME), and without HME.

Results: Both R-HME and L-HME increased end-inspiratory humidity (+5.

No hearing loss after repeated courses of tobramycin in cystic fibrosis patients.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that repeated treatment courses with tobramycin 10 mg/kg (twice daily for 3 weeks) may be safely applied in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with respect to ototoxicity. The risk of hearing loss in this patient group is less than expected, which could be explained by either unfavourable baseline audiometry or the use of unidentified protective medication, or both. However, due to large inter-individual variations, audiometry screening remains important with respect to the detection of individual outliers.

Vestibulotoxicity as a consequence of systemically administered tobramycin in cystic fibrosis patients.

Conclusion: The reported prevalence of vestibulotoxicity (30.4%) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients supports vestibulotoxicity screening in CF patients during or after tobramycin exposure. Prospective longitudinal investigation is required for a more specific evidence-based proposal.