Implementation of Above-Cuff Vocalization After Tracheostomy Is Feasible and Associated With Earlier Speech.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of hospital-wide implementation of an above-cuff vocalization (ACV) protocol using ACV-capable tracheostomy tubes and its impact on patient speech in four intensive care unit (ICU) patient populations. METHOD: This research was an observational pre-post study that was conducted over a 26-month period and included 323 critically ill adult ICU patients who underwent tracheostomy in a 365-bed academic tertiary care hospital. ACV was assessed using a protocol developed by a multidisciplinary team. Presence of speech was defined as at least one comprehensible word spoken during a speech-language pathologist evaluation. RESULTS: Median time-to-speech was 13 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 8-20 days) before the intervention, compared to 9 days (IQR: 6-16 days) after the intervention (p = .0017). In the pre-intervention group, 101 out of 167 (60.5%) patients achieved speech within 60 days, compared to 83 out of 133 (62.4%) patients in the post-intervention group (p = .12). Of the 83 patients who achieved speech in the post-intervention group, 24 (28.9%) did so via ACV, with the remainder using a speaking valve or digital occlusion. Of those 24 patients, seven did not progress to using a speaking valve within the follow-up period. The median number of speech days gained by using ACV was 8 (IQR: 5-18 days). ACV was successful in facilitating speech in 24 out of 29 (82.8%) patients trialed, with no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Routine implementation of ACV after tracheostomy is feasible, safe, and associated with earlier speech in a diverse population of critically ill patients. ACV is an important method to facilitate communication in patients requiring mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy cuff inflation.

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in laryngectomized patient with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis.

A patient with a total laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis presented with tracheobronchial aspiration of a Phillips-head screw that was swallowed inadvertently and aspirated around a loose-fitting prosthesis. A modified esophagram showed a screw in the right lung and free leakage of barium from the cervical esophagus around the prosthesis into the tracheobronchial tree. Chest radiographs and CT confirmed a screw in a right lower lobe bronchus with postobstructive pneumonia. When this complication occurs, it is important to extract the foreign body and, if necessary, to adjust or remove the prosthesis to prevent future aspiration pneumonias or foreign body aspiration.

Management of oropharyngeal and tracheobronchial secretions in patients with neurologic disease.

BACKGROUND: Neurologic disorders may impair the normal clearance of secretions. Effective palliation requires the management of excessive oral, pharyngeal and/or tracheobronchial secretions. This requires an understanding of underlying mechanisms and familiarity with the many available medical and surgical treatment options. OBJECTIVES: The authors intend to review the relevant anatomy and physiology along with the available medical, surgical and physical therapies available to treat this commonly encountered problem. DESIGN: A review of current management and the supporting literature. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians have many effective therapeutic options to choose from when managing the excessive oral, pharyngeal and/or tracheobronchial secretions caused by neurologic disorders. Treatment choices that are predicated upon pathophysiologic causes and patient status are the most likely to succeed.