Question
Does a talk trach cause necrosis?
Answer
A talking trach tube does not cause necrosis itself. It is the longstanding cuff inflation on any cuffed trach tube that may cause trachealmalasia, tracheo-esophageal fistula or other injury to the tracheal wall via constant pressure at the cuff inflation site. Hence, many trach tube manufacturers have developed specialized trach tubes with extended outer cannulas allowing for alternating cuff inflation pressures at different points on the tracheal wall.
This Ask the Expert was taken from the course entitled: Breathe First, Then Eat: Effective Communication and Swallowing Management for the Tracheostomized and Vent Dependent Patient.
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Michelle L. Tristani, MS/CCC-SLP is the National Rehab Clinical Specialist for Speech Pathology with Peoplefirst Rehab. She has delivered communication, cognition and swallowing diagnostic and therapeutic services within the adult and geriatric populations since 1991. Specializing in cognitive and swallowing disorders, Michelle has presented at many workshops, conferences and seminars focusing on Alzheimer's disease, assessment and management of cognitive disorders, swallowing disorders in the cognitively impaired patient, speech pathology services in the tracheostomized and ventilator dependent patient, and various professional/workplace etiquette presentations.
