Facilitating training in tracheoesophageal prosthesis placement.

Abstract

Success in the utilization of a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis may be limited due to the failure to learn how to insert the prosthesis independently. Reasons that may account for this inadequacy include inadequate preoperative screening tools to assess adequacy of the insertion process and lack of the availability of a model that allows safe practice in the skills necessary for insertion and retention. To avoid these possible complications, a model has been developed that will assist the medical care team in preoperative evaluation and postoperative care.