Abstract
A modified surgical separation of the larynx from the trachea enables the preservation of phonetic function, while also preventing aspiration. Without a blind-end closure of the laryngeal side of the severed trachea, the end of the proximal portion of the trachea was held open as if to form a tracheal stoma. A double-cuffed tracheal tube was then inserted into this tracheal stoma. The upper cuff maintained an airtight closure of the trachea while the lower cuff served to stabilize the device. A breathing tube with a speech valve linked the trachea to this tube, thus allowing the expiratory air into the larynx for phonation. By means of this surgical procedure, it was therefore found to be possible to prevent aspiration while also preserving the speech function for patients to be able to maintain their phonetic function.
