Experimental results of the tracheoesophageal tissue connector for improved fixation of shunt valves in laryngectomized patients.
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.
ten Hallers
E J O
EJ
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
Marres
Henri A M
HA
van der Houwen
Eduard B
EB
Jansen
John A
JA
Rakhorst
Gerhard
G
Schutte
Harm K
HK
van Kooten
Theo G
TG
van Loon
Jan-Paul
JP
Verkerke
Gijsbertus J
GJ
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
D011126:Polypropylenes; D014025:Titanium