BACKGROUND A new device is described for secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP). We hypothesize that the device can be used to create the puncture, size, and insert the voice prosthesis in antegrade fashion in a single procedure suitable for office-based use. METHODS A measurement and insertion device (MAID) was designed with the hypothesis in mind and tested on 3 pigs while they were und...

OBJECTIVE To describe a novel use of flexible fiberoptic endoscopy to examine the pharyngoesophageal segment, upper esophagus, and distal end of the tracheoesophageal prosthesis in patients who have undergone a total laryngectomy and a tracheoesophageal puncture. METHODS Five patients with poor-quality or no tracheoesophageal voice were evaluated by a speech pathologist and an otolaryngologis...

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the oncological and physiological safety of near-total laryngectomy (NTL), its versatility for use following extensive resections that necessitate pharyngoplasty, in post radiation recurrences and its success in voice conservation. To highlight the importance of a "maintenance free biological shunt" for voice production in patients of advanced laryngeal and pharyngeal c...

background: health?related quality of life (hrql) and voice handicap index (vhi) of laryngectomies seem to be relevant regarding voice rehabilitation. the aim of this study is to assess the impact on hrql and vhi of laryngectomies, following voice rehabilitation. materials and methods: a retrospective study done at the ear, nose, and throat department of the emergency county hospital. sixty?fiv...

Biofilms on silicone rubber voice prostheses are the major cause for frequent failure and replacement of these devices. The presence of both bacterial and yeast strains has been suggested to be crucial for the development of voice prosthetic biofilms. Polymicrobial biofilms that include Candida albicans and Rothia dentocariosa are the leading cause of voice prosthesis failure. An in vitro biofi...

Total laryngectomy, a surgical treatment for extensive cancer of larynx, which alters swallowing and respiration in patients, is followed up with a surgical voice restoration procedure comprising tracheoesophageal puncture techniques with insertion of a "voice prosthesis" to improve successful voice rehabilitation. However, microbial colonization is a major drawback of these devices. Antimicrob...

BACKGROUND The most severe consequence of laryngectomy for patients is the loss of their voice. For this reason, voice rehabilitation has been an integral aspect of treatment after total laryngectomy from the very beginning. A wide variety of different technical and surgical approaches are available and reflect the problems associated with the rehabilitation of communication and swallowing afte...