Previously, dry air, dust, or cold air was clearly removed in the nose or warmed almost to body temperature while moving to the innermost part of the throat. Furthermore, this air was appropriately dampened and sent to the lungs.
All those undergoing surgery are thereafter supposed to be tracheal breathers and thus can no longer control temperature and humidity or remove dust because they breathe directly in the outside air through the tracheostoma.
As a result, the amount of phlegm increases, a scab forms on the tracheostoma, and they are liable to cough. These are among some of the inconveniences experienced.
In order to also prevent harm from the cold and protect the tracheostoma, be sure to cover it with gauze. If the gauze is too thin, however, it may be aspirated into the opening; it should therefore be made thick enough -- say five layers or more --to maintain warmth and humidity and remove dust.
Immediately after surgery, such precautions are very important. Once appropriate adaptation to the environment has been acquired by the tracheal breather, however, they enjoy almost complete relief from the worry about cold.
