Evaluation of Customized Prosthesis for Irregularly Formed Tracheostoma After Laryngectomy

After laryngectomy, the tracheostoma forms the functional center for breathing and phonation. An occasionally occurring but typical problem can arise from an oversized and/or irregularly formed tracheostoma, hampering the temporary occlusion necessary for sufficient speech production. As an alternative to a surgical correction of the tracheostoma, an individually adjusted stoma silicone prosthesis may be used.

Twenty-one patients suffering from irregularly formed tracheostoma after laryngectomy followed by insertion of a speech valve were provided with a silicone tracheostomal prosthesis. They underwent subjective assessment of voice quality and breathing function according to a standardized general questionnaire and to the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Furthermore, a clinical evaluation was performed including detection of peristomal leakage and phonation time.

Patients described a significant improvement of voice production with the tracheostomal prosthesis (averagely graded as 1.9 with and 3.2 without prosthesis, P = .0026). Breathing was also slightly improved by the prosthesis with an average grade of 1.7 compared to 2.3 with a conventional cannula (P = .063). There was a strong correlation between self-evaluation and the total score of the VHI after insertion of the prosthesis (P < .0001). Minor local skin reactions caused by the adhesive were described by 5 of the 21 patients.

A tracheostomal prosthesis represents an efficient alternative to surgical revision of irregularly formed tracheostoma after laryngectomy, enhancing voice production and breathing function.