Changing tracheostomy tubes can correct problems
that cause ventilator asynchrony, improve comfort by
reducing tube size, and correct a cuff leak due to tracheomalacia
or malposition or fracture of the tracheostomy
tube or flange.17Most manufacturers recommend changing
the tubes every 1 to 2 months; however, Yaremchuk19
found that routine tube changes every 2 weeks decreased
the formation of granulation tissue. In a study by Björling
et al,20 electron micrographs of plastic tubes revealed visible
surface changes after 30 days in all types of tubes
studied: polyvinyl chloride, silicone, and polyurethane