inhealth Blom-Singer Instructions For Use Manual page 9

the voice prosthesis. Use of the placed voice prosthesis
is strictly deferred until post-op day 12-14 at the earliest
to avoid the potential of voicing related airflow causing a
pharyngoesophageal fistula.
15. Once the patient is started on oral fluids the valve should
be checked for leakage by having him or her drink while
the open (tracheal) end of the voice prosthesis is carefully
observed with a bright light.
SECONDARY TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL PUNCTURE
AND VOICE PROSTHESIS PLACEMENT
The following procedural instructions are provided by Stephen
B. Freeman, M.D., F.A.C.S., and Eric D. Blom, Ph.D. for secondary
tracheoesophageal
tracheoesophageal tract dilation and voice prosthesis placement.
1. Confirm a tracheostoma diameter of 1.5 cm or larger. A
barium swallow is also recommended to verify that
pharyngoesophageal dimensions are adequate for rigid
endoscopy.
2. Under anesthesia, introduce minimally a size 6mm and 25cm
length, or appropriately sized, lighted rigid esophagoscope
to the level of the tracheostoma (Diagram 7). Orient its tip
to align the short aspect of the bevel adjacent to the tracheal
wall 5mm between the mucocutaneous junction of the
tracheostoma. Palpate or transilluminate the membranous
trachea to confirm endoscope positioning.
3. The sheath of the trocar should be completely covering all
but the cutting tip of the curved needle and positioned so
that the multi-color bands are closest to the tip of the curved
needle.
4. The puncture should be placed midline 5mm from the
mucocutaneous junction of the tracheostoma. Introduce the
Blom-Singer ® Voice Prosthesis Placement Surgical Kit
puncture followed by simultaneous
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