Factors for pain in office-based voice implant replacement. A multicenter prospective GETTEC study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Speech Pathology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Voice prosthesis exchange is a common procedure for laryngectomized patients.
• Standardized pain assessment during this procedure is crucial for patient comfort.
• Variations in techniques may influence patient outcomes and pain perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing pain during office-based voice prosthesis exchange.
• To analyze voice prosthesis replacement techniques used in France.
• To optimize patient experience by minimizing pain during the procedure.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter prospective observational study involving laryngectomized patients undergoing voice prosthesis exchange.
• Pain was assessed using a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS).
• Practitioner questionnaires collected data on procedure details and patient factors.

Main Results:

• Mean pain rating was 2±2.8 on the NRS.
• Shorter procedure duration (<5 min), single attempts, and practitioner experience were linked to significantly lower pain.
• Use of a capsule and male gender were suggestively associated with lower pain intensity.

Conclusions:

• Voice prosthesis replacement is generally quick and well-tolerated.
• Optimizing technique, such as rapid exchange and capsule use, can further minimize pain.
• Findings provide insights for improving patient comfort during voice prosthesis replacement.