Cough flows as a criterion for decannulation of autonomously breathing patients with tracheostomy tubes.

Background: Adequate cough or exsufflation flow can indicate an option for safe tracheostomy decannulation to noninvasive management. Cough peak flow via the upper airways with the tube capped is an outcome predictor for decannulation readiness in patients with neuromuscular impairment. However, this threshold value is typically measured with tracheotomy tube removed, which is not acceptable culturally in China. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of using cough flow measured with tracheostomy tube and speaking valve (CF) > 100 L/min as a cutoff value for decannulation.

Study Design: Prospective observational study conducted between January 2019 and September 2022 in a tertiary rehabilitation hospital.

Methods: Patients with prolonged tracheostomy tube placement were referred for screening. Each patient was assessed using a standardized tracheostomy decannulation protocol, in which CF greater than 100 L/min indicated that the patients' cough ability was sufficient for decannulation. Patients whose CF matched the threshold value and other protocol criteria were decannulated, and the reintubation and mortality rates were followed-up for 6 months.

Results: A total of 218 patients were screened and 193 patients were included. A total of 105 patients underwent decannulation, 103 patients were decannulated successfully, and 2 patients decannulated failure, required reinsertion of the tracheostomy tube within 48 h (failure rate 1.9%). Three patients required reinsertion or translaryngeal intubation within 6 months.

Conclusions: CF greater than 100 L/min could be a reliable threshold value for successful decannulation in patients with various primary diseases with a tracheostomy tube.

Trial Registration: This observational study was not registered online.