Long-term compliance of laryngectomized patients with a specialized pulmonary rehabilitation device: Provox stomafilter

Previous studies have demonstrated the positive effect of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on the respiratory system in patients after laryngectomy. However, patient compliance with these devices was reduced by device-related problems and troublesome combination with a voice prosthesis, Recently a more specialized device has become available, This is an HME combined with a valve for easy digital occlusion of the stoma (Provox Stomafilter; Horby, Sweden). In the authors' initial study of this revised device, a clear improvement in short-term compliance was demonstrated, To investigate long-term compliance, 69 consecutive patients were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire, The results show that all patients expressed their satisfaction with the valve used for digital occlusion of the stoma, Sixty-three percent of the patients reported that voicing was facilitated, Subjective intelligibility improved in 55% of the patients, Previous problems with other devices (e.g., plaster adherence, skin irritation, and handling) were clearly diminished, increasing the long-term compliance of the patients to 78%. This new HME can be considered as a beneficial pulmonary rehabilitation tool for laryngectomized patients.