The particular issues with these patients are observation and management of any reconstructive flaps as well as potential airway problems. Importantly, patients who have had a laryngectomy have an ‘end stoma’ and their airway CANNOT be managed via the oral or nasal route.
Patients undergoing flap surgery should have a Flap Monitoring Chart. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the ‘Flap monitoring chart’ and the ‘Displaced/blocked tracheostomy management’ algorithm.