Do you know about the “no-throat people” and “esophageal language”? Today we will talk about this group of people with special “kung fu” and about winter health care for cervical tracheostomy. Patients without a larynx undergo a total laryngectomy for a laryngeal tumor. After surgery, the breathing passage is changed so that air no longer passes through the mouth, nose, or throat, but enters the trachea and bronchi directly through the tracheostomy opening directly in front of the neck (see diagram) and reaches the lungs. The surgical removal of the larynx eliminates the vocal cords and therefore the normal function of articulation and speech, making interpersonal communication difficult. But the pain did not break them! Among these patients, some speak with the help of “electronic larynx” (the picture shows the voice transmission point), while others have developed “esophageal language” (also called esophageal pronunciation) with their strong will. With all the hardship and strength, they have successfully crossed the threshold of language communication barrier. However, in the winter season, the temperature plunges, the climate is dry, and the haze also “takes advantage of the fire”, which is uncomfortable for normal people, and even worse for patients without larynx. The nasal cavity of normal people has protective functions such as warming, moistening, filtering, cleaning and defensive reflexes to the inhaled air, while the respiratory channels of patients without larynx are changed as mentioned before, so whether they can successfully pass the cold winter becomes a big challenge. So, how can patients with laryngectomees “cut through the barriers” and effectively carry out self-care in winter? First of all, in view of the decay of the respiratory heating function, try to ensure that the family room has sufficient sunlight and regular ventilation to ensure fresh air, and the room temperature should be 18-22℃. The throat mask should be used reasonably and the thickness or density of the fabric should be increased appropriately. Also avoid wearing tight-fitting turtleneck sweaters to prevent the neck fistula opening from being obscured and affecting breathing. Second, in response to reduced respiratory wetting, place an air humidifier in the home to maintain the relative humidity at 60-70%. Patients who are able to do so can regularly use an appropriate amount of physiological seawater to spray the stoma to better maintain airway wetting. At the same time drink more water, especially fresh warm water around 25 ℃, not only can replenish the body water, and easy to speed up the metabolism, to promote the discharge of metabolic waste in the body, improve the immunity of the body. The third is for the loss of respiratory tract cleaning and filtration, try to avoid contact with the source of infection, less or less to densely populated, turbid air in public places, if necessary to wear a throat mask, to avoid exposure of the stoma. It is important to wash hands regularly and keep them clean, because they are a medium for the transmission of many diseases. In addition, patients with laryngeal disease have a diminished sense of smell, so they must avoid chemical plant areas to prevent inhalation of harmful gases. Last but not least, if you have upper respiratory tract infection, coughing, coughing up blood or fistula growth, you should visit the ENT department promptly and take reasonable medication to avoid delaying the disease. In the cold season, wind and rain are inevitable, and the sun always shines after the storm. Please believe that the sunshine after the storm will be warmer and brighter, and the life of “laryngeal free people” will definitely blossom into more wonderful!