We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Artificial Larynx Helps Cancer Patient Speak and Smell

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Jan 2017
Print article
Image: The layout and composition of the ENTegral artificial larynx (Photo courtesy of INSERM).
Image: The layout and composition of the ENTegral artificial larynx (Photo courtesy of INSERM).
A new study describes how an artificial larynx implanted after total laryngectomy allows a 56-year-old man to speak with an intelligible whisper and breathe normally.

Developed by researchers at CHU de Strasbourg, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), and Institut Claudius Regaud, the ENTegral artificial larynx consists of a permanent titanium tracheal prosthesis with a porous distal end to improve soft-tissue integration, and a removable titanium cap that replicates the function of the epiglottis, allowing continuous passage of air and fluids while protecting the patient’s airway from aspiration. When the patient coughs, the upper flap can open transiently to allow the expulsion of bronchopulmonary secretions.

The patient in question underwent total laryngectomy and bilateral cervical lymphadenectomy. In phase 1 of the procedure, the permanent tracheal prosthesis was implanted with a temporary closed cap. Four months later, in phase 2, it was removed and replaced with a removable open-ventilation cap. During a 16-month follow-up period, stenosis did not develop at the trachea–prosthesis anastomosis, and the patient could breathe and expectorate through the upper airways and maintain adequate arterial blood hemoglobin saturation while breathing ambient air.

The patient was able to speak and swallow saliva during the day and at night, although occasional aspiration of food occurred. The patient’s olfaction, which had also been compromised, was completely restored. In addition, the artificial larynx did not interfere with any planned radiotherapy, and the patient wasalso able to close the fenestrated tracheostomy cannula for six or more hours per day in order to breathe through the upper airways. The study describing the artificial larynx was published in the January 5, 2017, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

“No episodes of pneumonia, infection, discharge, difficulty breathing or blockages were observed after 16 months of daily use. This implant is constantly evolving and the next patients will benefit from substantial improvements to improve the passage of food down the throat,” said study co-author Nihal Engin Vrana, PhD, of INSERM. “Patients who have had a total laryngectomy are the ideal candidates for this device. However, following surgery, they still must have the base of their tongue, to help preserve swallowing function.”

The larynx, also called the voice box, houses the vocal cords, which are essential for phonation. It also manipulates the pitch and volume of sounds produced. Located in the neck of tetrapods, the larynx is also involved in breathing and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The laryngeal skeleton consists of six cartilages: three single (epiglottic, thyroid and cricoid) and three paired (arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform).

Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
LED Phototherapy System
Bililed Mini+

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: The permeable wearable electronics developed for long-term biosignal monitoring (Photo courtesy of CityUHK)

Super Permeable Wearable Electronics Enable Long-Term Biosignal Monitoring

Wearable electronics have become integral to enhancing health and fitness by offering continuous tracking of physiological signals over extended periods. This monitoring is crucial for understanding an... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.