title: In vitro comparison of the Groningen high resistance, Groningen low resistance and Provox speaking valves.
abstract: This paper compares the physical parameters of the newer Groningen low resistance and Provox indwelling laryngectomy prostheses with the established and original Groningen device. In vitro pressure/flow profiles were determined, using specially designed apparatus, in 44 standard Groningen high resistance (GHR), 37 Groningen low resistance (GLR) and 19 Provox tracheo-oesophageal prostheses prior to insertion. GHR valves had significantly higher forward opening pressures than both the newer valves and the GHR was significantly higher than the Provox (p < 0.01: Mann-Whitney U-test). The mean forward resistance of GHR was significantly higher than that of both; the Provox valve was significantly lower than that of GLR (p < 0.0001: Mann-Whitney U-test). This may be of relevance with respect to patient acceptability, voice quality and effective duration of valve action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D011474:Prosthesis Design