An Unusual Aspiration: Tracheo-esophageal Voice prosthesis

Tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis is currently the most successful and the principal method of voice and speech in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Spontaneous dislodgement leading to tracheal aspiration is a rare complication. A 60 years old male living alone who underwent total laryngectomy with no radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma 3 years ago, admitted to our emergency department with a sudden shortness of breath. Chest radiography revealed atelectasis on the left lower lobe. Diagnostic flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed Provox voice prosthesis at the level of bifurcation to left secondary bronchus. The device is successfully removed with biopsy forceps. As far as we know this case is the first Provox voice prosthesis aspiration case report which has been observed a more distal location from the main carina. In conclusion, chest and ENT physicians should know such long-term complications in laryngectomized patients.