Airway resistances of Blom-Singer and Panje Low Pressure tracheoesophageal puncture prostheses.

Airway resistances were calculated for two newly commercialized tracheoesophageal (TE) puncture prostheses: the Panje Low Pressure Voice Button and the Blom-Singer Low Pressure device. The airway resistances of newly commercialized Panje Low Pressure devices could not be distinguished from those calculated for previously commercialized, Regular Pressure Voice Button devices. Airway resistances of Blom-Singer Low Pressure devices increased systematically as a function of flow rate. Findings are compared with existing data to provide readers with an opportunity to evaluate the relative efficiency of air shunting among contemporary TE puncture prostheses. Results are interpreted in relation to their implications for selecting surgical-prosthetic options for laryngectomized patients.