A vented laryngeal stent with phonatory and pressure relief capability

This prototype vented laryngeal stent incorporates a dome-shaped, one-way valve that allows articulation of transmitted vibrations to produce speech, while preventing aspiration and not interfering with deglutition. The stent is placed endoscopically and is used in conjunction with a T-tube or a tracheostomy tube. The stent has been placed in seven patients for chronic aspiration, after partial laryngectomy, and with laryngotracheal reconstruction for stenosis. Aspiration pneumonia has not been seen in any patient after placement of the appropriate stent, with follow-up of 2 to 6 months. One patient's swallowing improved and none deteriorated. All patients were able to phonate with the stent in place. No significant long-term sequelae are apparent in three patients whose stents were removed after resolution of their primary diseases.