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Posted by Scott on June 13, 2000 at 03:26:16:In Reply to: looking for info on potential danger of plastic trach tubes posted by kim on June 12, 2000 at 15:07:06:
I don't know if this will help but here is my two cents.
I saw or was told in the hospital that my Shiley trach was supposed to be replace monthly. I was never sure if that was the inner or outer cannula.
Their web site doesn't have this info that I could find but does offer "disposable cannulas" I assume they mean the inner cannula as these are very thin and flexable. The outer cannula held up well for me for many weeks until I could get it out in favor of something better (and almost anything is!!) There was a lot of discoloration of the outer cannula but I never notice any deterioration. A call to my insurance company trying to get them to "invest in something cheaper and longer term" was unsucessful and I never did find out if those were supposed to be replaced at $60 to $80 a pop ever month.I can tell you I've had good results with the Jackson metal trach tubes and they may last a lifetime. I don't know the cost of these but would guess they're greater than $200US.
If your lucky enough to go with a stoma button, the Montgomerys are a pliable (to pliable) silicone type material. (I have one in now on trial) They are rated for 6 month replacement at about $90 a whack.
The excellent Olympic medical trach buttons are made of Teflon and are rated for one year and cost about $90 a pop.
Hope this helps.
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