title: 'Speaking valve' aspiration in a laryngectomy patient.
abstract: Tracheo-oesophageal speech using a one-way speaking valve is a common mode of speech rehabilitation for laryngectomy patients. Aspiration of this device can cause significant airway obstruction and pose anaesthetic and surgical challenges during its retrieval. In this case report, we describe our management of a patient who had had a laryngectomy who aspirated his speaking valve through his stoma. Emergency retrieval of the valve was performed, during which difficulties were encountered, first in obtaining an adequate seal for pre-oxygenation, and second in maintaining adequate oxygen saturation. We discuss some innovative techniques that could be used to address these issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rao Kadam
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen