Viscoaugmentation as a treatment for leakage around the Provox® 2 voice rehabilitation system

Abstract

Tracheo-oesophageal puncture for voice restoration is a well-established technique post-laryngectomy. A number of complications can occur with the creation of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) and in the subsequent management of the patient with an indwelling voice rehabilitation system. This article is the first to report the use of Hylaform, a colourless viscoelastic gel, to treat an intractable case of leakage around a Provox 2 voice prosthesis. The procedure which required no anaesthesia resulted in no further leak around the valve to the present day, now more than four weeks post-viscoaugmentation.