Randomized Trial for Comparison of Tracheostomy Tie Outcomes: Conventional by Cotton Tape and Innovative by Suction Tube

Abstract

Objective: To compare the outcomes of using a tracheostomy tie between a traditional cotton tape tracheostomy tie, and an innovative model, applied from a suction tube. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty-four patients that underwent tracheostomy tube replacement between June 2022 and March 2023 at Sawanpracharak Hospital, Nakhonsawan Province, were analyzed by the ENT group. Eighty-two cases were randomly divided into groups using traditional tracheostomy ties of cotton tape and 82 cases using an innovative suction tube as a tracheostomy tie. The general data of the patients were evaluated using descriptive statistics. For comparison of differences between the two groups of data, categorical data was analyzed by chi-square and continuous data was analyzed by independent t-test and VAS score was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant difference. Results: The result of the study showed that age and gender did not have statistically significant differences in both groups of patients. In the group that received the tracheostomy tie, the tracheostomy tube displacement was more frequent, and there was more dirt and moisture around the tracheostomy tie than in the group that received an innovative tracheostomy tie with a suction tube. This was statistically significant. Patients and caring nurses were statistically significantly more satisfied using the innovative tracheostomy tie made by a suction tube. Conclusion: A suction tube is an ideal alternative material for personal care, reducing superficial injury of the skin and reducing the risk of accidental decannulation. The tracheostomy tie made of a suction tube is considered an alternative use. Keywords: Tracheostomy tie; Tracheostomy tube; Suction tube; Cotton tape