Body Image Alteration in Patients with Tracheostomy

Purpose: This research was planned as a descriptive study to examine body image alterations of patients with tracheostomy. Method: The sample of the study consisted of 30 patients with the diagnosis of larynx cancer in the Ear Nose Throat clinic of a university hospital between July 2004 and July 2006. The research data were collected using “patient information form” and the “Body Image scale”. Body Image Scale was measured on the third, fifteenth and thirteenth days after tracheostomy. Results: It was found that 63.3% of patients were 40-64 years of age, 93.3% of patients were men, 86.7% of patients were married and 46.7% of them were living in town. When examined patients’ the alterations of body image at 3rd, 15th and 30th days after tracheostomy, on body image score means was dedicated to be increasing on 15th and 30th days compared to 3rd day (p<0.05). It was found that age, educational level, income status, communication and the use of foulard to hide the patency of tracheostomy were not affected difference of Body Image Scale (BIS) score means between 3 to 5th; 3 to 30th and 5 to 30th days. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was found that the body image of patients with tracheostomy was changed positively on 15th and 30th days compared with the 3rd day.