Resistance, humidity and temperature of the tracheal airway

Patients after laryngectomy are subject to a high incidence of chest complaints. In attempting to reduce these a number of 'new nose' stoma filters have recently been introduced which claim to humidify and warm air, filter particulate matter and, by increasing tracheal airway resistance, to improve lung function. Our study defines the normal tracheal temperature, humidity and resistance values which were obtained from 16 patients with a normal upper respiratory tract. These parameters will allow the available filters to be evaluated objectively and may lead to the development of a more physiological 'new nose'.