Modification of the tracheal flange of the Provox voice prosthesis for easier insertion

Abstract

Prosthetic voice restoration with tracheoesophageal puncture has become the preferred method of speech rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients. Indwelling prostheses seem more advantageous because they do not necessitate frequent removal, cleansing, and insertion for the maintenance. The Provox system (Atos Medical AB, Horby, Sweden) is one of the most widely used prosthetic systems because it has several technical advantages over the other systems; however, the disproportion between its wide tracheal flange and the narrow puncture can make insertion somewhat difficult. We present a simple modification on the tracheal flange of the Provox voice prosthesis, which facilitates its insertion. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;121:599-600.)