Microbial colonization of silicone voice prostheses used in laryngectomized patients.

The aim of this study was to identify the microbial colonization of dysfunctioning voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients and determine the influence of patient radiation therapy on prosthesis life span. In a 40-month period, 257 outpatient voice prosthesis replacements were carried out in a laryngectomized group of 31 patients. The voice prostheses were all removed from the tracheo-oesophageal fistula after dysfunctioning of the prosthesis. Of the replaced prostheses 183 were cultured. The microbial cultures showed a predominant colonization with Candida albicans and commensal oral microflora. Radiation therapy induced xerostomia shortened the lifetime of the first inserted prosthesis in particular.