Objective: To report on the long-term results, focusing on prosthesis lifetime, achieved with the VoiceMaster prosthesis in an outpatient population.

Methods: The VoiceMaster prosthesis was used over a 40-month period. Average prosthesis lifetimes were calculated both individually and for the group as a whole. Factors determining prosthesis insertion were noted. Also, the possible effect of interim prosthesis cleaning and reinsertion of the same device, a specific VoiceMaster characteristic, was assessed.

Results: An average prosthesis lifetime of 6.5 months was attained for the whole patient group and several devices were still in situ at the end of the 40-month period. Local factors (tracheostoma size, fistula position and characteristics) influence insertion. Interim cleaning with immediate reinsertion of the device can greatly enhance prosthesis lifetime on an individual basis.

Conclusions: The attained average prosthesis lifetime demonstrates that the VoiceMaster merits a place within the array of available prostheses used in post-laryngectomy outpatient voice rehabilitation.