Laryngeal Prosthetic Devices

Abstract

Larynx is a complicated organ strategically located at the division of the upper aerodigestive tract into the gastrointestinal tract and the airway. Alteration of its function can have a significant impact on vocal, digestive and respiratory physiology. Laryngeal cancer changes the anatomy and the patient is deprived on the vibrating source and he cannot speak. Different methods to recover phonation after total laryngectomies have been developed to produce a new voice from the 1860 to today, electrical or pneumatic types. Actually the most used technique are: the oesophageal speech, the electrolarynx and the phonatory prosthesis.