title: Material wear of polymeric tracheostomy tubes: a six-month study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to study long-term material wear of tracheostomy tubes made of silicone (Si), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyurethane (PU) after 3 and 6 months of clinical use.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study has a prospective and comparative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients with long-term tracheostomy, attending the National Respiratory Center in Sweden, were included, n = 6 with Si tubes, n = 8 with PVC tubes, and n = 5 with PU tubes. The tubes were exposed to the local environment in the trachea for 3 and 6 months and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tubes revealed severe surface changes. No significant differences were established after 3 or 6 months of exposure between the various materials. The changes had progressed significantly after this period, compared to previously reported changes after 30 days of exposure. The results from all analyzing techniques correlated well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All tubes, exposed in the trachea for 3-6 months, revealed major degradation and changes in the surface of the material. Polymeric tracheostomy tubes should be changed before the end of 3 months of clinical use.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Fiber, and Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Backman
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Björling
authors.forename: Unn-Britt
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lysdahl
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Markström
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schedin
authors.forename: Ragnhild E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Aune
authors.forename: Claes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frostell
authors.forename: Sigbritt
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karlsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis; D018441:Biofilms; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000032:analysis; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000032:analysis; D012828:Silicones / Q000032:analysis; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride