title: Heat and moisture exchangers as a treatment option in the post-operative rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients.
abstract: A multi-institutional, prospective clinical study was undertaken to investigate whether the use of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) in the period following total laryngectomy could prevent the development or reduce the severity of respiratory symptoms. Fifty-nine patients from three hospitals were provided with HMEs, either immediately post-surgery or, in the case of post-surgical radiotherapy, upon completion of the radiotherapy. For the total sample (n = 59) statistically significant improvements over time (between 3 and 6 months) could be found in forced expectoration (P < 0.05), in the perceived voice quality (P < 0.001), social anxiety (P < 0.001), social interactions (P < 0.001) and in feelings of anxiety and depression (P < 0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated statistically significant group differences over time in forced expectoration and stoma cleaning (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences over time were noted between the regular and non(regular) HME user groups in voice quality or in various aspects of daily living.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ackerstaff
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hilgers
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Aaronson
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: De Boer
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Meeuwis
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Knegt
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Spoelstra
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Zandwijk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Balm
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*