Department of Sensory Organs, University "Sapienza" of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Interdepartmental Centre of Electron Microscopy (C.I.M.E.), and Department of Environmental Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy.
J Voice. 2014 Mar;28(2):250-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2013.08.012. Epub 2013 Dec 4.
OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Provox 2 voice prosthesis requires periodic replacement due to biofilm proliferation which causes malfunctioning of the valve. The aim of this study was to show that Provox 2 voice prosthesis malfunctioning is due not only to valve obstruction caused by biofilm but also to the silicone variations.
Prospective study on the malfunction of Provox2 voice prostheses.
Through photographic and electron microscopic assessment, the authors studied nine Provox 2 voice prostheses, which were removed due to malfunctioning.
Findings revealed that the silicone undergoes a degenerative process, thus causing the surface to become rough, deformed, swollen, and translucent. Furthermore, electron microscopy confirmed the presence of immune system cells and biofilm on the prosthesis surface and their role in creating a structural nonhomogenous structure in the silicone, which is deformed due to the presence of "crests" caused by material degeneration.
The degenerative process of the silicone seems to be related to the oxygen present in the trachea and esophagus and to the production of oxygen-free radicals on the biofilm's part and the immune system.
目的/假设：由于生物膜增殖导致阀失灵，Provox 2 语音假体需要定期更换。本研究旨在表明，Provox 2 语音假体故障不仅是由于阀阻塞引起的生物膜，也是由于硅酮的变化。
对 Provox2 语音假体故障进行前瞻性研究。
通过摄影和电子显微镜评估，作者研究了因故障而取出的 9 个 Provox 2 语音假体。
研究结果表明，硅酮经历了退行性过程，导致表面变得粗糙、变形、肿胀和半透明。此外，电子显微镜证实了假体表面存在免疫系统细胞和生物膜，以及它们在硅酮中形成结构不均匀结构的作用，这种结构由于材料退化引起的“峰”而变形。
硅酮的退行性过程似乎与气管和食管中的氧气以及生物膜部分和免疫系统中产生的氧自由基有关。
