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We analyzed a series of adults with an implanted voice prosthesis that had malfunctioned and required removal as a result of the attachment and growth of microorganisms. Our goal was to determine the characteristics of these colonizing microbes. We swabbed the esophageal side of each prosthesis to obtain microbial flora for analysis with standard culture media. In all, we studied 22 prostheses in 18 patients (3 patients had received multiple prostheses). We found mixed contamination (both yeast and bacteria) in 19 of the 22 cultures (86.4%); the other 3 cultures yielded bacteria only, and there was no instance of yeast only. The most common yeast isolated was Candida albicans (68.2% of cultures), and the most common bacterium was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (63.6%). The average lifetime of the prostheses was 201 days (~6 mo, 3 wk). This study, which was the first of its kind in India, revealed that the microbial picture here was different from that found in previously reported studies of European populations. We presume the differences are attributable to different lifestyles and dietary habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct that minimally includes broadly defined assessments of the physical, psychological, and social domains of functioning. However, measuring this QOL is complicated by the fact that there are many different validated questionnaires available. In India, with people now wanting self-directed care and greater autonomy, we must direct increased efforts towards QOL and its assessment. We propose the Assessment, Translation & Validation, Application and Audit method to increase the use of QOL scales in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]