Page 8 - Prosthetic voice rehabilitation-5th edition

8 2 The Provox System 2.1 Provox The original Provox voice prosthesis, developed between 1988-1990, is a self-retaining, indwelling, easy to manage device for prosthetic voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy (TL).3-5 The prosthesis is suitable for laryngectomized patients with a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP), also when created for several other types of voice prostheses. The Provox voice prosthesis is made of medical grade silicone rubber and comes in four lengths, i.e. the distance between the esophageal and tracheal flange is 4.5, 6, 8 or 10 mm. The other dimensions of the prosthesis are: diameter of the esophageal flange 14.5 mm, oval tracheal flange 12 x 16 mm, inner diameter of the shaft 5 mm and outer diameter 7.5 mm (i.e. 22.5 Fr.). The tracheal flange contains an introduction string. The valve is molded in one piece with the prosthesis and is supported by a radiopaque ring (20% barium sulphate), to enhance the visibility on X-ray examination. The prosthesis is packed together with a disposable scalpel and the disposable guide wire.