 |
|
Downsizing of Voice Prosthesis Diameter in Patients With Laryngectomy
An In Vitro Study
Simone E. J. Eerenstein, MD;
Wilko Grolman, MD, PhD;
Paul F. Schouwenburg, MD, PhD
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;128:838-841.
In patients with laryngectomy, voice prostheses inserted into a tracheoesophageal
fistula (TEF) are widely used for vocal rehabilitation. Gradual dilation of
the TEF may cause bothersome leakage around voice prostheses. Prosthesis-related
weight and mechanical trauma possibly exacerbate TEF dilation. If prosthesis
size were to be decreased, with a concomitant decrease in prosthesis weight
and diameter, dilation of the TEF would probably lessen. We performed in vitro
tests to study the effects on aerodynamic prosthesis function when the prosthesis
size—in particular, the inner diameter—was decreased. The effects
on airflow and pressure were specifically studied in the airflow range of
patients with laryngectomy. A 1-mm decrease of the regular inner prosthesis
diameter from 5 mm to 4 mm showed no significant aerodynamic consequences
at the average laryngectomized airflow point. Also, such a 1-mm decrease in
diameter involved a prosthesis weight reduction of 18%. In view of these findings,
downsizing the standard prosthetic diameter should be considered in future
voice prosthesis development.
From the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery,
Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Some Comments on the Escalation of Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Dimensions
Blom
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;129:500-502.
FULL TEXT
|
