Venice Nakhla.
A new effective safety net and filter for use with Tracheostomy tubes.
Pak J Otolaryngol Jan ;20(2):36-7.

Patients who have permanent tracheostomies with inner tubes, particularly metal tubes with speaking valves, experience problems with keeping the inner tube in place during spells of coughing, sneezing or even talking. They must also maintain humidification and filter the incoming air to prevent troublesome crusting of the tube. Currently there is only a bib available for these patients to wear which does not efficiently do all the above. The author presents a new home made device called the `St. Marina safety net` designed and made by a tracheostomy patient himself, which effectively keeps the inner tube in place, acts as an efficient air filter and humidifier, being smaller in size than humidifier and is more cosmetically acceptable to wear. Being smaller in size than the bib it does not irritate the skin and it is easy to carry in pocket, especially when travelling. As well as being attractive, it is an inexpensive and effective alternative to the currently available bib. The author also recommends its use in laryngectomy stomas and paediatric tracheostomies.

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