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The Safety of Common Voice Prostheses with ENT Lasers
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow, UK, GB.
Lasers in Medical Science
|February 13, 2014
Summary
Silicone voice prostheses used for speech rehabilitation after laryngectomy are vulnerable to laser damage. Testing revealed specific valves are especially susceptible to common laser energies, risking patient airway injury.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Otolaryngology
- Laser Surgery
Background:
- Silicone voice prostheses are crucial for speech rehabilitation in post-laryngectomy patients.
- Granulation tissue removal around these valves often involves laser ablation.
- The safety of laser use on voice prostheses has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and vulnerability of common silicone voice prostheses when exposed to various medical lasers.
- To determine the risk of damage to voice prostheses and patient airways during laser procedures.
Main Methods:
- Common silicone voice prostheses were subjected to increasing energy levels from carbon dioxide, potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP), and holmium YAG lasers.
- Laser exposure was conducted in ambient air, using energies consistent with clinical practice.
Main Results:
- The Provox brand of voice prostheses demonstrated significant vulnerability to all tested laser types and energies.
- Damage to the valves occurred at clinically relevant laser energy levels.
Conclusions:
- Current laser protocols for granulation tissue removal pose a risk to silicone voice prostheses, particularly the Provox type.
- Alternative methods for granulation tissue removal should be considered, or prostheses must be removed before laser treatment to prevent damage to the device and patient airway.
