title: Experimental results of the tracheoesophageal tissue connector for improved fixation of shunt valves in laryngectomized patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After total laryngectomy and voice rehabilitation using a tracheoesophageal shunt valve, patients often have valve-related complications such as leakage. To solve these problems, a tracheoesophageal tissue connector (TE-TC) was devised to serve as an interface between the patient's tissue (trachea and esophagus) and the shunt valve.
  
  
  METHODS
  The TE-TC is a permucosal connection constructed from a titanium ring (filled with a silicon rubber plug) combined with polypropylene or titanium mesh. After implantation in adult goats for 12 weeks the implants were submitted to histologic investigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Firm implant fixation was achieved. In nearly all (18/19), no signs of infection of the implant were seen; 11 of 19 animals died before the end of the experiment owing to complications not related to the implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TE-TC is a new device with potential in the solution for fixation-related problems in tracheoesophageal voice rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 Nijmegen, The Netherlands. o.tenhallers@kno.umcn.nl
authors.forename: E J O
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: ten Hallers
authors.forename: Henri A M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Marres
authors.forename: Eduard B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: van der Houwen
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rakhorst
authors.forename: Harm K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.forename: Theo G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: van Kooten
authors.forename: Jan-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: van Loon
authors.forename: Gijsbertus J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Verkerke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007825:Laryngectomy; D023421:Models, Animal; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014139:Tracheostomy
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes; D014025:Titanium