A laryngectomy guide
The basic to get started
A total laryngectomy is a surgery performed in the advanced stages of cancer. The procedure involves removing your voice box – also called the larynx. After a laryngectomy, breathing happens via an opening in the neck instead of the nose and mouth.
Undergoing a total laryngectomy can be an overwhelming experience, but you shouldn’t feel isolated. There are more than 100,000 people worldwide that have undergone the same operation and proven it’s possible to maintain your quality of life.
How to prepare for a laryngectomy
What is a total laryngectomy?
A life-changing surgery
The larynx plays several important roles. It houses the vocal folds that make our voice sound. The larynx also helps us to breathe and swallow. Therefore, removal of the voice box not only leads to changes in the voice, but also changes in breathing, swallowing, and smelling.
How to prepare for a laryngectomyLaryngectomy products
Provox Life Home HME
Better lung health at home.
Provox Life BasePlate Adaptor
Provox Life BasePlate Adaptor makes it possible to attach a device
Provox Life LaryButton
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Provox Life LaryTube
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Provox Luna
To help you have better nights and prepare for better days
Provox Swabs
For easy and hygienic tube cleaning
Provox Life LaryTube Fenestrated
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Stoma Sizing Guide
Stoma Sizing Guide helps healthcare professionals determine which size LaryTube or LaryButton should be prescribed.
Provox TwistLock
The Provox TwistLock is placed on the top of the Insertion System folding tool and securely locked by twisting it clockwise.
Provox Protector Slim
Thin, 3-layered protector, made of lightweight, soft material.
Life after laryngectomy
Before total laryngectomy
Before surgery, you would breathe through your nose, mouth and throat – or what is known as the ‘upper airways’ .
After total laryngectomy
After a laryngectomy, breathing happens via an opening in the neck instead of the nose and mouth.
A new way of breathing
Breathing after laryngectomy
The function of your nose
Your nose does more than just smell – it heats, humidifies, and filters the air you breathe. In this way, you can be sure the air is at the right body temperature and contains enough moisture when it reaches your lungs for them to function properly.
After your total laryngectomy, you will breathe through the stoma in your neck so these nasal functions are lost. Breathing through an open stoma causes the temperature and humidity in your lungs to drop. The lungs react to this by producing more mucus, meaning you have to cough more (similar to having a cold) and your windpipe can feel irritated.
Breathing products
Provox Life Home HME
Better lung health at home.
Provox Life BasePlate Adaptor
Provox Life BasePlate Adaptor makes it possible to attach a device
Provox Life LaryButton
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Provox Life LaryTube
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Provox Luna
To help you have better nights and prepare for better days
Provox Swabs
For easy and hygienic tube cleaning
Provox Life LaryTube Fenestrated
For maintaining the opening of the tracheostoma
Stoma Sizing Guide
Stoma Sizing Guide helps healthcare professionals determine which size LaryTube or LaryButton should be prescribed.
Provox TwistLock
The Provox TwistLock is placed on the top of the Insertion System folding tool and securely locked by twisting it clockwise.
Provox Protector Slim
Thin, 3-layered protector, made of lightweight, soft material.
Your new voice
Speaking after laryngectomy
We rely on our voices to express our thoughts and feelings. Losing your natural voice can initially be quite upsetting, and have a large impact on your ability to communicate as well as your sense of identity. But the good news is that there are several ways to regain your voice.
There are basically three voicing methods that can be learned after surgery with the help of your speech therapist: speech with a voice prosthesis (tracheoesophageal speech), using an electrolarynx and esophageal speech.
