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We are often asked for educational material and articles to help in the daily management of laryngectomees. Click on the main headings to access any of the following articles.

NEW! Impact of a Laryngectomy and Surgical Closure Technique on Swallow Biomechanics and Dysphagia Severity
OBJECTIVE: The incidence of self-reported dysphagia following a laryngectomy is high (72%). The impact, if any, of a surgical closure technique on swallowing biomechanics and dysphagia severity is not known. To date, there is no recommended standard procedure for pharyngeal reconstruction during laryngectomy surgery. The aim of this study was to determine how laryngectomy surgery alters swallowing biomechanics, pharyngeal peak deglutitive pressure, and hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressures and whether these changes in pressure correlate with specific surgical closure after total laryngectomy or with dysphagia severity.

"A laryngectomy is the surgical removal of the larynx. The larynx, also called the voice box, is the organ in the throat that creates speech and, in conjunction with the epiglottis, prevents food from entering the airway during swallowing..."

Troubleshooting Guide
"The following recommendations are provided by Dr Eric D. Blom, Ph. D..."

Methods of Voice Restoration
"The inability to speak is usually the most distressing problem confronting the laryngectomy patient. Today, many choices are available to help restore speech..."

CLINICAL INSIGHTS
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CI 2000 – Neck Breather Medical Awareness Skin Decal
"For many years laryngectomees have experienced legitimate fears regarding care and protection of their tracheostoma when temporarily hospitalized or in other settings where medical personnel may be unfamiliar with a “total neck breather. The Neck Breather Medical Awareness Skin Decal (patent pending) is a unique warning system...”

CI 1998 – Tracheostoma Valve Attachment
"Patients vary in their interest and degree of successful use of a
tracheostoma valve..."

CI 1997 – Leakage Around a Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis
"Leakage of liquids around a voice prosthesis will not occur if the
tracheoesophageal tissue is healthy and if the puncture is fit with an appropriate length prosthesis. Two factors contribute to the prevention of leakage..."

CI 1996 – Types of Voice Prosthesis and when to use them
"There are two basic Blom-Singer® voice prostheses; duckbill and low pressure..."

CI 1995 – A Small Colony of Yeast Can Make A Prosthesis Leak
"Yeast infections in the mouth are common in head and neck cancer patients, particularly among those who have been
treated with radiation or chemotherapy..."

CI 1994 – Tracheoesophageal Puncture Measurement Errors
"Tracheoesophageal puncture measurement is critical to selecting
and fitting the correct length voice prosthesis..."

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