TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving Hands-free Speech Rehabilitation in Patients With a Laryngectomy: Proof-of-Concept of an Intratracheal Fixation Device
AU - Leemans, Maartje
AU - van Alphen, Maarten J. A.
AU - Dirven, Richard
AU - Verkerke, Gijsbertus J.
AU - Hekman, Edsko E. G.
AU - van den Brekel, Michiel W. M.
N1 - Funding Information: Funding source: The Netherlands Cancer Institute’s Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery receives a research grant from Atos Medical AB, which contributes to the existing infrastructure for quality-of-life research in the department. Atos Medical AB had no role in the concept, study design, and drafting of this manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2021. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/8
Y1 - 2021/8
N2 - Permanent hands-free speech with the use of an automatic speaking valve (ASV) is regarded as the optimal voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. Due to fixation problems, regular ASV use in patients with a laryngectomy is limited. We have developed an intratracheal fixation device (ITFD) composed of an intratracheal button augmented by hydrophilic foam around its shaft. This study evaluates the short-term effectiveness and experienced comfort of this ITFD during hands-free speech in 7 participants with a laryngectomy. We found that 4 of 7 participants had secure ASV fixation inside the tracheostoma during hands-free speech for at least 30 minutes with the ITFD. The ITFD’s comfort was perceived positively overall. The insertion was perceived as being mildly uncomfortable but not painful. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of the ITFD that might improve stomal attachment of ASVs, and it provides the basis for further development toward a prototype suitable for long-term daily use.
AB - Permanent hands-free speech with the use of an automatic speaking valve (ASV) is regarded as the optimal voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. Due to fixation problems, regular ASV use in patients with a laryngectomy is limited. We have developed an intratracheal fixation device (ITFD) composed of an intratracheal button augmented by hydrophilic foam around its shaft. This study evaluates the short-term effectiveness and experienced comfort of this ITFD during hands-free speech in 7 participants with a laryngectomy. We found that 4 of 7 participants had secure ASV fixation inside the tracheostoma during hands-free speech for at least 30 minutes with the ITFD. The ITFD’s comfort was perceived positively overall. The insertion was perceived as being mildly uncomfortable but not painful. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of the ITFD that might improve stomal attachment of ASVs, and it provides the basis for further development toward a prototype suitable for long-term daily use.
KW - automatic speaking valve
KW - hands-free speech
KW - intratracheal fixation
KW - speech rehabilitation
KW - total laryngectomy
KW - tracheostoma valves
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85098800522&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820982634
DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820982634
M3 - Article
C2 - 33400626
SN - 0194-5998
VL - 165
SP - 317
EP - 320
JO - Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
JF - Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
IS - 2
ER -