Effect of dairy products on the lifetime of Provox2 voice prostheses in vitro and in vivo.
BACKGROUND
Reduction of biofilm formation on tracheoesophageal voice prostheses by certain dairy products might extend their clinical lifetime. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of certain dairy products on voice prosthetic biofilms and lifetimes in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
The in vitro results were accomplished using an artificial throat. The lifetimes of Provox2 prostheses were evaluated in a patient group that daily consumed the evaluated products.


RESULTS
Buttermilk and Yakult Light fermented milk decreased the amount of bacteria on voice prostheses but stimulated yeast prevalence in vitro. Concurrently, lifetimes of voice prostheses in patients consuming buttermilk were not significantly different, whereas patients consuming Yakult Light fermented milk drink had a significantly (p < .01) increased prosthesis lifetime by a factor of 3.76.


CONCLUSIONS
Yakult Light fermented milk drink reduced biofilm formation on Provox2 prostheses in vitro and in vivo and significantly increased prosthesis lifetime. In vivo, no significant effects were observed for patients consuming buttermilk.
Schwandt
Leonora Q
LQ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Centre Groningen, P. O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
van Weissenbruch
Ranny
R
van der Mei
Henny C
HC
Busscher
Henk J
HJ
Albers
Frans W J
FW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002175:Candida / Q000254:growth & development*; D043302:Cultured Milk Products; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors
D012828:Silicones