Fewer operations for cancer patients

Up to 50% of throat cancer patients need their voice box removed and need to have a small valve inserted into their throats to regain speech. However, recipients are subjected to a lifetime of frequent operations due to the short lifespan of the valves.

Current silicone valves suffer rapid deterioration due to bacteria and yeast buildup, but laboratory trials have shown the new design to be resistant to the effects of this biofilm.

The new valve is reported to last significantly longer and could help improve the quality of life for patients.

The work was performed by Dr Tim Paget and Dr Zarah Mamhoud from the Medway School of Pharmacy – a partnership between the Universities of Greenwich and Kent. Dr Paget said that the new valve should also be safer.

“When current valves fail, liquids can leak into the lungs leading to dangerous consequences, but this is not possible with the new design,” he explained.

It is predicted that the new valves could save the NHS approximately £10 million by removing the need for the estimated 16,500 valve replacement operations a year.