[Hazards associated with artificial humidification in tracheotomized patients (author's transl)]

Bacteriological testing in tracheotomized patients has shown that infection can be avoided when only sterilized water is used for post-surgical humidification and is disinfected at least every two days. In so doing, water condensation can be avoided by the use of concomitant tube heating. Conclusions indicate that humidifers which utilize water evaporation are more useful in patient care than ultra-sonic nebulizers.