A Review of the Complications and Candida Colonization Associated with Voice Rehabilitation using a Voice Prosthesis

Abstract

Between December 2004 and December 2011, we have used the indwelling voice prosthesis for voice rehabilitation in 28 patients after total laryngectomy in our department. To clarify both the complications and safety of voice reconstruction using a voice prosthesis, and the occurrence of candida colonization, we conducted a retrospective study with a review of the Japanese literature.
Twenty-six patients who were observed over a period of more than six months at our hospital were enrolled in this study. We examined the interval of prosthesis replacement, types and frequency of complications, candida colonization, and clinical outcomes.
The median follow-up time postoperatively was 28.8 months (range 8.1-95.7). The average interval of prosthesis replacement was 147 days (4.9 months). Complications occurred in 14 patients (54%), and 6 patients (23%) of whom were hospitalized. The main complications were periprosthetic leakage, increased granulation around the tracheoesophageal shunt and stenosis of the trachea stoma. There were no significant differences in the frequency of complications in the background factor of the patients as far as age (p=0.495), radiation therapy (p=0.686) or reconstruction time (p=0.257) were concerned. Candida species was detected in 81% of the specimens which we submitted to a culture test and confirmed the pseudohyphae which comfirmed the pathogenicity from the histopathological examination. Moreover, radiation therapy was significantly associated with the detection of candida (p=0.004). Permanent closure of the tracheoesophageal shunt for periprosthetic leakage was required in one patient, but we were able to deal with the other complications. No patient experienced any life-threatening complications and all are safely using the prostheses. It has been reported that complications will occur over the long-term, thus careful follow-up is necessary.