[Voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy. Initial clinical experience with the Provox-Vega® voice prosthesis and the SmartInserter® system].

BACKGROUND

Voice prostheses have considerably improved the success of voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy and are the treatment of choice in many hospitals. Provox® voice prostheses are the most commonly used devices for voice restoration in Europe. Their benefits in terms of voice quality and ease of use are well documented in the literature. In March 2009, the third generation of Provox voice prostheses became available under the name of Provox-Vega®. This prosthesis features major changes in design and is supplied with the new SmartInserter® insertion device.

MATERIAL AND PATIENTS

Nineteen patients who were receiving follow-up care at our department and had been using voice prostheses for an extended period of time were treated with Provox-Vega® prostheses after they gave their written informed consent. The patients completed a structured questionnaire covering the subjective evaluation of voice quality, phonation times and dynamic ranges. We also asked our patients whether they felt uncomfortable during prosthesis replacement procedures. In addition, we asked our medical professionals to evaluate the ease of use of the new insertion device.

RESULTS

The Provox-Vega® prosthesis was found to be superior to other prostheses in terms of voice quality, loudness and pitch modulation. It helped patients improve mean phonation time from 11.3 to 15.3 seconds and increase the dynamic range by 4.7 dB. Our medical professionals reported that the insertion device was easier to use and quicker to replace.

CONCLUSIONS

Provox-Vega® prostheses were found to improve voice quality and phonation times. Patients do not feel uncomfortable during replacement procedures. Following an appropriate period of familiarisation with the SmartInserter®, we found that the Vega system is quick and easy to use.