An Implanted Electronic Laryngeal Prosthesis

Abstract

The authors present a preliminary progress report on their investigations dealing with the development of an implanted electronic laryngeal prosthesis system. Their initial observations indicate success in the design and fabrication of the implantable, retropharyngeal transducer and secondary induction coil elements. The surgical procedure for implantation is described, and the complications encountered during the first thirteen procedures are reported. These complications included five seromas, one postoperative abscess, one partial wound breakdown secondary to animal-inflicted trauma, and two anesthetic deaths at the time of follow-up radiographic procedures. Additional observations are presented regarding the acoustical output of the transducer in air and after implantation. Projections are made concerning the use of this laryngeal prosthesis system in human patients for vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.