title: Aspiration of tracheoesophageal prosthesis in a laryngectomized patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The voice prosthesis inserted into a tracheoesophageal fistula has become the most widely used device for voice rehabilitation in patients with total laryngectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a case of tracheoesophageal prosthesis' (TEP) aspiration in a laryngectomized patient, with permanent tracheal stoma, that appeared during standard cleaning procedure, despite a programme of training for the safe management of patients with voice prosthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The definitive diagnosis and treatment were performed by flexible bronchoscopy, that may be considered the procedure of choice in these cases, also on the basis of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Pneumology Unit, Vittorio Veneto Hospital, Via Forlanini, Vittorio Veneto (TV), Italy. scconte@libero.it.
authors.forename: Sergio C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Nardi
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nardini