Patients' experience of temporary tracheostomy after microvascular reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck

A temporary tracheostomy is commonly done in patients who have reconstruction after the ablation of advanced oral cancer to provide easy access to a secure airway in case a haematoma forms or the patient needs a return to theatre. Although relatively simple to do, we know little about the patients' experience, and to find out, we designed a three-stage study. First, we conducted semi-structured interviews to identify items related to the functional, emotional, and social impacts of the tracheostomy, on the ward and on removal (n = 15 patients). Secondly, we used these items to develop a short, one-page questionnaire in collaboration with the Patient and Carer Support Group and Research Forum, and thirdly, we did a cross-sectional postal survey of 125 patients who had had a temporary tracheostomy as part of free tissue reconstruction between January 2013 and July 2015. Of them, 86 responded (69% response rate). Generally patients reported a negative experience. In the cross-sectional survey most responders (n = 52, 60%) stated that they would “very much” avoid a tracheostomy if at all possible. The main problems concerned fear and communication, and between one-third and one-half stated that they had had “very much” or “quite a bit” of a problem in regard to choking, discomfort, attracting attention, sleeping, and general management (other than the suctioning). This feedback should form part of the information that is given to patients; it should also enable us to reflect on optimal perioperative care, and help to inform the debate about the selection criteria.