Clinical Practice Guidance: Total Laryngectomy Post-Operative Pulmonary Care Pathway
A post-operative pulmonary care pathway that prioritizes the early use of HMEs and hydrocolloid adhesives should be considered for laryngectomized patients. This approach not only improves respiratory function but also reduces healthcare costs, hospital complications, and the need for extended nursing care when compared to external humidifiers (1).
Implementing this pathway allows healthcare providers to optimize pulmonary rehabilitation and improve long-term recovery and quality of life for laryngectomy patients. Clinical evidence shows it improves pulmonary function and overall quality of life by addressing the respiratory changes post-laryngectomy (1-4)
The use of HMEs and adhesives immediately post-operatively has been a common practice within laryngectomy care at the Netherlands Cancer Institute for more than 25 years, and the use of hydrocolloid adhesives is endorsed by a leading dermatology expert.
Access the Total Laryngectomy Post-Operative Pulmonary Care Pathway
Learn more about the post-operative pulmonary pathway used in the Netherlands Cancer Institute by downloading this clinical practice guidance. The document includes the protocol followed at the Netherlands Cancer Institute for early adoption of HMEs and adhesives post-operatively.
Fill out the form below to receive instant access to the protocol directly in your inbox!
*required fields
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Learn more about laryngectomized patients:
Reference
1 Merol JC, Charpiot A, Langagne T, Hemar P, Ackerstaff AH, Hilgers FJ. Randomized controlled trial on postoperative pulmonary humidification after total laryngectomy: External humidifier versus heat and moisture exchanger. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(2):275-81.
2 Ebersole B, Moran K, Gou J, Ridge J, Schiech L, Liu JC, et al. Heat and moisture exchanger cassettes: Results of a quality/safety initiative to reduce postoperative mucus plugging after total laryngectomy. Head Neck. 2020.
3 Foreman A, De Santis RJ, Sultanov F, Enepekides DJ, Higgins KM. Heat and moisture exchanger use reduces in-hospital complications following total laryngectomy: a case-control study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;45(1):40.
4 Parrilla C, Minni A, Bogaardt H, Macri GF, Battista M, Roukos R, et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Total Laryngectomy: A Multicenter Time-Series Clinical Trial Evaluating the Provox XtraHME in HME-Naive Patients. The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology. 2015;124(9):706-13.
PM34278 _ThEN_202409
Share
Save to my content
Print PDF