Raising airway resistance in laryngectomees increases tissue oxygen saturation

The physiological airflow resistance from the anterior nares to the upper trachea has recently been documented.(1) This resistance is thought to be important in preventing alveolar collapse and in maintaining the optimum lung ventilation: perfusion ratio.(2) This resistance is lost in laryngectomees who may have a subsequent decline in lung function and arterial oxygen saturation. A stoma filter with a resistance approximating to that of the normal upper airway has been developed and laryngectomees who wear this device demonstrate a rapid increase in tissue oxygen saturation (median increase: 1.4 kPa, P = 0.0087) without significantly altering tissue carbon dioxide saturation. This finding will have a major impact on the future rehabilitation of laryngectomees and those with a temporary tracheostomy.