A Novel Obturator Device for Management of Dilated Trachea-esophageal Puncture Tract Fistulas

Abstract

Voice rehabilitation in laryngectomized patients by tracheoesophageal puncture is a time tested technique. In some patients the tracheoesophageal puncture gets inordinately dilated leading to leakage around the prosthesis. Most of these fistulas are managed by a variety of conservative treatments like temporary removal of prosthesis, placement of silastic ring over the prosthesis, placement of nasogastric tube and airway protection by a cuffed tracheostomy tube. Intractable fistulas are tackled by surgical closure but are fraught with failures. We hereby suggest a novel temporary obturator that can be can be easily made at a very low cost in any hospital having prosthetic rehabilitation services and obviates the need for a tracheostomy tube, nasogastric tube and repeated hospital visits. © 2012 Association of Otolaryngologists of India.