Clinical Application of the Blom-Singer Voice Prosthesis and the Tracheostoma Valve

In 1980 Singer and Blom introduced a one-way silicone valve which allows for sufficient air flow from the trachea to the oral cavity. Eventually they described two-way respiratory valve with the voice prosthesis by which voice can be produced without occlusion of the stoma by a finger. After their introductory report, many authors reported a clinical application of these two devices. We have started clinical application of these two devices since 1983. The present paper describes our experience with the Blom-Singer voice prosthesis and the tracheostoma valve, together with our surgical technique for tracheoesophageal puncture. Nine patients were included in this study. The main problems for the voice prosthesis are irritation of the skin and displacement of the tracheoesophageal shunt. The limitation of the application for the tracheostoma valve was caused by irritation of the skin and the excessive secretion of the trachea. There is no major complication with the tracheoesophageal puncture. The results of this method are satisfactory to sure extent, and we need more cases in order to evaluate this method exactly.