David S Thylur1, Brenda Capobres Villegas1, Laurel M Fisher1, Uttam K Sinha1, Niels Kokot2. 1. USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. 2. USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA Niels.Kokot@med.usc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tracheoesophageal voice prostheses are invaluable for speech rehabilitation in patients who have received total laryngectomy, but device failure impedes communication and creates psychosocial and financial burdens. This study compares the Provox 2 and Provox Vega voice prostheses on the parameter of device life. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 21 patients with 181 device replacements at an academic tertiary care medical center. Disparity in device life and factors that may influence device life were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean device life for Provox 2, at 115.6 days (SE = 5.8), was longer than for Provox Vega, at 65.1 days (SE = 7.5) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Device longevity was greater for Provox 2 over Provox Vega. These results will facilitate the design of prospective studies to assess reasons for variations in device life between patients and device types.
BACKGROUND:Tracheoesophageal voice prostheses are invaluable for speech rehabilitation in patients who have received total laryngectomy, but device failure impedes communication and creates psychosocial and financial burdens. This study compares the Provox 2 and Provox Vega voice prostheses on the parameter of device life. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 21 patients with 181 device replacements at an academic tertiary care medical center. Disparity in device life and factors that may influence device life were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean device life for Provox 2, at 115.6 days (SE = 5.8), was longer than for Provox Vega, at 65.1 days (SE = 7.5) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Device longevity was greater for Provox 2 over Provox Vega. These results will facilitate the design of prospective studies to assess reasons for variations in device life between patients and device types.