Aerodynamic assessment of the Henley-Cohn tracheoesophageal prosthesis.

In vitro airway resistance measurements were performed for eight Henley-Cohn voice prostheses. The results of these measures demonstrated that the Henley-Cohn device offers substantially less resistance to the flow of air than either the Blom-Singer or Panje devices. The lower overall resistance of the Henley-Cohn device was shown to be due to both its larger inner cross sectional area and to an improved valve tip design. The lower airway resistance of the Henley-Cohn prosthesis should theoretically result in more "efficient" production of esophageal voice than would be the case when using the Blom-Singer or Panje devices. However, the results of this investigation also point to the need for the development of methods which will enable investigators to evaluate the in vivo performance of tracheoesophageal prostheses.