What is a Provox voice prosthesis?

What is a Provox voice prosthesis?

Provox Vega is a voice prosthesis used by thousands of people who have undergone a laryngectomy. Provox Vega is designed with airflow characteristics that are optimized for speaking, and an opening pressure that supports a good seal when swallowing.

How much is a voice prosthesis?

Replacement prosthetic voice boxes can cost up to $1,000 (£750) which for many patients is unaffordable.

How does a TEP work?

For tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP), the surgeon makes an opening between the trachea and esophagus. A small plastic or silicone valve fits into this opening. The valve keeps food out of the trachea. After TEP, patients can cover their stoma with a finger, and force air into the esophagus through the valve.

What is a TEP voice prosthesis?

The tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis (TEP) uses a one-way valve to let air pushed up from the lungs to pass through from the trachea and enter the esophagus, causing the walls of the esophagus to vibrate as a new voice, but without letting food or liquids to pass through the other way, from the esophagus to the …

What is a TEP prosthesis?

Tracheoesophageal prosthesis: A prosthetic device that is placed into a puncture between the trachea and the esophagus that is employed to generate tracheoesophageal speech, prevent aspiration, and maintain the integrity of the puncture.

What is a tracheal fistula?

Tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection in one or more places between the esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and the trachea (the tube that leads from the throat to the windpipe and lungs). Normally, the esophagus and the trachea are two separate tubes that are not connected.

Why can’t you swim at the beach if you have your voice box removed?

After surgery, air will pass through a hole in your neck (called a stoma). This can affect your sense of smell and taste. You need to avoid getting water in the stoma, as it leads directly into your windpipe and down to your lungs. This means you can’t go swimming, and showering becomes difficult.