engleski

THE ROLE OF HEAT AND MOISTURE EXCHANGER IN POSTLARYNGECTOMY QUALITY OF LIFE

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heat and moisture exchanger use on everyday problems and quality of life aspects in laryngectomized patients. Methods: Seventy laryngectomized patients were included and divided into a control group that used no device, and a group equipped with a heat and moisture exchanger. The effect of the heat and moisture exchanger was evaluated by means of a specially designed questionnaire. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, health, behavior, tumor and surgical data. Assessment of the benefi ts and drawbacks of the device was made by statistical comparison of the control group and the group using the device. Results: the group using the device scored signifi cantly better on the questions about verbal communication, social interaction, paying attention and concentration. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that the use of heat and moisture exchanger can effectively reduce psychosocial and physical problems after total laryngectomy. A review of medical literature and comparison of the results of this study with the literature data available shows that the use of heat and moisture exchanger infl uences particular aspects of the quality of life of laryngectomized persons. Conclusion: the heat and moisture exchanger cannot fully restore physiological functions of the upper respiratory tract, but it plays an important role in the prevention of symptoms and in pulmonary and psychosocial rehabilitation after laryngectomy.

heat and moisture exchanger, laryngectomy, rehabilitation, quality of life

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