Material wear of polymeric tracheostomy tubes: a six-month study.
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.
Backman
Sara
S
School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Fiber, and Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden.
Björling
Gunilla
G
Johansson
Unn-Britt
UB
Lysdahl
Michael
M
Markström
Agneta
A
Schedin
Ulla
U
Aune
Ragnhild E
RE
Frostell
Claes
C
Karlsson
Sigbritt
S
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*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride