What to do if you have cough after laryngeal cancer surgery

Laryngeal cancer is a very scary malignant tumor. Early detection and early treatment can still control the disease. The commonly used treatment for laryngeal cancer is surgery, which has a high cure rate. Coughing after laryngeal cancer surgery is also a most troubling problem. So what should we do if we cough after laryngeal cancer surgery?

Everyone must pay close attention to frequent coughing after laryngeal cancer surgery. It will not only affect the larynx, but if cancer occurs, it is very likely to be life-threatening, posing a great threat to life. Therefore, when frequent coughing occurs, the better way is to go to a regular hospital to find out the cause, and then receive targeted treatment, so that the disease can be cured as soon as possible.

Of course, it is necessary to take preventive measures in advance for cough after laryngeal cancer surgery, as follows:

1. Appropriate body position. When the patient returns to the ward and wakes up from general anesthesia, the head of the bed can be appropriately raised by 30-45 degrees to reduce local edema, reduce skin flap congestion, and reduce the tension of the pharyngeal mucosa.

2. Intermittent suction with a suction device improves efficacy: The drainage tubes of neck dissection and laryngeal surgery should be connected to suction devices respectively to remove exudates and blood clots in time, eliminate dead space, and use negative pressure to make the flap and tissue close together, resulting in blood vessel regeneration and promoting healing. Suction with a suction device 2-3 times a day until the tube is removed.

3. Correct tube changing technique is extremely important to prevent wound infection. Dressings should be changed frequently and wounds should be closely monitored. The dressing of the neck incision should be changed once a day. The tracheal tube of the fistula should be changed 3 times a day for three days after surgery and 2 times a day thereafter. Use 75% alcohol to clean the wound each time. Note:

(1) Body position during tube change: Instruct the patient to tilt his head back appropriately to fully expose the tracheal opening and avoid scratching the posterior wall mucosa.

(2) When inserting the tracheal tube, place a piece of uncut, wrung-out V-shaped alcohol gauze and a piece of dry gauze close to the tracheal tube. This can absorb blood and secretions on the wound surface through the wet dressing, prevent the metal tracheal tube from rubbing against the wound, and prevent fiber from accidentally entering the trachea.