Voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy with the Groningen prosthesis.

The Groningen voice prosthesis is a recently developed silicone device for surgical rehabilitation of the voice following total laryngectomy. The prosthesis is placed in the tracheo-esophageal wall as a primary procedure during laryngectomy or as a secondary procedure some time after surgery. The insertion is a one stage surgical technique. The prosthesis is self-retaining and remains in situ, on average for three months. Its replacement is a simple outpatient procedure. Successful speech was achieved in 80% of the patients rehabilitated as a primary procedure. Aspiration of liquids or food was not observed. The Groningen prosthesis has several advantages over other currently available devices.