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Clinical experience with the low-resistance Groningen button.
J T van Lith-Bijl1, H F Mahieu, P Patel
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
The new low-resistance Groningen button (LRGB) improves voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy. Prophylactic amphotericin use with the LRGB reduces phonatory pressure and extends device life.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The standard Groningen button prosthesis is valuable for post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation.
- High airflow resistance of the standard device can impede tracheoesophageal shunt speech.
- A low-resistance version (LRGB) was developed to address this limitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical performance of the low-resistance Groningen button (LRGB).
- To evaluate the effect of prophylactic amphotericin on LRGB performance and longevity.
- To compare patient acceptance and functional outcomes between the standard and LRGB devices.
Main Methods:
- Clinical performance of the LRGB was evaluated in 32 post-laryngectomy patients.
- Device lifetime, intratracheal phonatory pressures, and patient subjective acceptance were recorded.
- The impact of prophylactic amphotericin use was investigated to prevent Candida spp. colonization.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients preferred the LRGB due to less operational effort.
- Intratracheal phonatory pressure increased over time but was stabilized by prophylactic amphotericin.
- Prophylactic amphotericin use inhibited Candida spp. colonization and prolonged prosthesis lifetime.
Conclusions:
- The LRGB offers improved patient acceptance and functional outcomes in voice rehabilitation.
- Prophylactic amphotericin is effective in managing phonatory pressure increase and extending LRGB device life.
- The LRGB represents a significant advancement in post-laryngectomy voice restoration.