title: Custom modification of the Blom-Singer tracheostoma valve housing.
abstract: A technique is presented for modifying the Blom-Singer tracheostoma valve housing to improve peristomal skin adherence for hands-free tracheoesophageal speech production following total laryngectomy. The finished product is thin, flexible, and maintains enhanced tear strength. The edges of a standard housing device for the Blom-Singer valve are trimmed to allow for better accommodation to the tissue surface without distortion. A punch biopsy instrument is used to cut uniform holes around the housing device to allow for permeation of the silicone mixture for better mechanical adherence of the materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lemon
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: Jack W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D018583:Pliability; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012826:Silicone Elastomers