Provoxweb
  • Provoxweb
  • Voice--Speech Rehab
    • Speech Therapy >
      • Introduction
      • Preoperative counseling
      • Outline of voice therapy
      • Important basic principles in voice rehabilitation in prosthetic speech
      • Some points of attention for the 'finishing touch'
      • General aspects of patient instruction
      • Problem solving
      • Conclusion
  • Pulmonary Rehab
    • Introduction
    • Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HME's) >
      • Treatment aspects
      • Prevention aspects
    • Provox HME >
      • Compliance aspects
      • Improvements in compliance
      • Improvements in voicing
      • Early post-operative pulmonary hygiene
      • Breathing resistance
      • Newest Provox HMEs
    • Treatment with inhalation medication
    • Conclusions
    • References

Indications

Closure of the TE-fistula can be indicated when there are problems such as widening of the fistula causing leakage around the prosthesis, not responding to temporary removal of the device, prolabation and/or infection of the TE-fistula, spontaneous extrusion of the prosthesis, postoperative wound infection problems around the stoma, severe hypopharyngeal stenosis or a too low or high position of the TE-fistula.

If the fistula exists longer than 6 months surgical closure is mostly needed. If the fistula is present less than 6 months or in patients with spontaneous extrusion of the prosthesis or infection of the fistula tract, spontaneous closure can be expected.

© The Netherlands Cancer Institute - 2003-18; ISBN 90-75575-05-X