Patient-specific tracheal stoma plug improves quality of life for tracheostomy patients
| Autor: | Kyle K VanKoevering, Julia Brennen, Rachel Fenberg, Sam Dolphin, Natalia von Windheim, Laura Matrka, Brad de Silva, Matthew E Spector, Steven B Chinn, Philip Choi, Songzhu Zhao, Keith A Casper, Glenn E Green |
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| Rok vydání: | 2022 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | BMJ Innovations. :bmjinnov-2022 |
| ISSN: | 2055-642X 2055-8074 |
| Popis: | ObjectiveDespite being life-saving, tracheostomies carry numerous social, functional and quality of life (QOL) drawbacks. The aim of this study was to design and test the use of small, discrete, customised tracheostomy stoma plugs in patients who are not tracheostomy-dependent during the day, with the overall goals to demonstrate the feasibility of creating these patient-specific devices and obtain preliminary results of impact on QOL.MethodsWe developed and evaluated a novel patient-specific ‘stoma plug’ to improve the lives of those with tracheostomies who did not have a daytime ventilation requirement. The stoma plug was designed and manufactured using three-dimensional printing for each subject. Measurements of the patient’s fistula were obtained in the clinic and the features of the stoma plug were created to match the fistula and trach tube dimensions. Patients were monitored for any changes in their eligibility status and for complications associated with using the ‘stoma plug’. A survey questionnaire examining multiple QOL domains was performed predevice and at 1 and 6 months of use.ResultsDevices were designed and produced for 35 patients enrolled across two institutions. The survey results demonstrate statistically significant improvement in quality-of-life scores (pConclusionOur study demonstrates that a patient specific device can be created to ameliorate many of the drawbacks associated with a tracheostomy tube, with the potential to revolutionise tracheostomy care. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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