Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Published · Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
On this page
A laryngectomy tube (often called a “lary tube”) is a soft tube that sits in the stoma of a person who has had their larynx removed. It keeps the stoma open for breathing and, in the example documented below, holds a heat and moisture exchanger (HME). It is a different device from a tracheostomy tube. This page is for clinic staff, buyers and students who need to know what the product is, which variants and sizes exist, and what the manufacturer’s instructions say about care and replacement. The specifications below come from one manufacturer’s published documents, the Atos Medical Provox LaryTube, used here as a typical example; other brands may differ.
What a laryngectomy tube is
After surgical removal of the larynx (a total laryngectomy), the end of the windpipe is sewn to an opening in the skin of the neck. That opening is the stoma, and the person breathes through it. The THANC Guide glossary describes tubing used together with the stoma “to maintain access to air for breathing.”
The Provox LaryTube instructions for use (IFU) describe it as a holder for devices in the Provox HME System, intended for vocal and pulmonary rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. The product record classifies it as GMDN code 12292 “Laryngectomy tube”, prescription only, and used by the patient, with physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists and caregivers also listed as users. It is intended for a single patient.
Who uses it: people living with a laryngectomy stoma (home use), and the clinicians who work with it in outpatient and hospital settings.
How it is built
The Provox LaryTube is made of medical grade silicone rubber and is not made with natural rubber latex. According to the IFU its purpose is a comfortable, airtight fit with the stoma and an attachment point for Provox HME System devices. It is delivered individually packed and non-sterile. The documented parts are the tube, a conical shield, a holder for the HME and accessories, wings, a ring for adhesive connection, and (on fenestrated models) fenestration holes.
Types and variants
| Model (Provox LaryTube) | Typical use | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | With or without a voice prosthesis | Attached with a Provox TubeHolder or LaryClips |
| Fenestrated | For users of a voice prosthesis | Has holes (fenestrations); attached with a TubeHolder or LaryClips |
| With Ring | With or without a voice prosthesis | Can only be attached with a Provox Adhesive |
Source: Provox LaryTube IFU section 1.3. The IFU adds that the Standard and Ring models can be fenestrated, with holes made using the Provox Fenestration Punch.
Sizes and specifications that matter
The IFU lists four diameters (8, 9, 10 and 12) and three lengths (27, 36 and 55 mm). The manufacturer also sells a Provox LaryTube Sizer Kit of sample tubes for clinicians.
| Model | Diameters offered | Lengths offered |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8, 9, 10, 12 | 27, 36, 55 mm (12 catalogue items) |
| With Ring | 8, 9, 10, 12 | 36, 55 mm (8 items) |
| Fenestrated | 8, 9, 10, 12 | 36, 55 mm (8 items) |
Source: Provox LaryTube product information (TechInfo PF011-01). Other specifications from the same document: shelf life of 3 years from manufacture, supplied non-sterile, intended for continuous use in home, outpatient and hospital settings.
Choosing a model and size
Size and model are selected with a clinician. The documents tie the model to whether a voice prosthesis is used and to how the tube is attached (the Ring model needs a Provox Adhesive), and the size to the dimensions in the grid above. The manufacturer cautions that the wrong size can cause problems, which is why the choice is made with a clinician rather than from a catalogue alone.
Laryngectomy tube vs tracheostomy tube
The two are not interchangeable. A tracheostomy tube is an airway tube and can be connected to ventilation (see what a tracheostomy tube is and tracheostomy tube sizes). The Provox LaryTube IFU lists mechanical ventilation as a contraindication. It is a holder and stoma-maintenance device for a permanent stoma, not a ventilation airway.
Related devices have their own pages: the laryngectomy HME that the tube holds, a stoma cover, the Blom-Singer voice prosthesis system and the electrolarynx.
Handling, care labelling and replacement
These points restate the manufacturer’s labelling for the Provox LaryTube; the full instructions come with the product.
- Single patient: the tube is labelled for one patient only (cross-contamination risk).
- Condition: the IFU says a damaged tube should not be used.
- Lubricants: water-soluble only. The IFU warns that oil-based products such as Vaseline may weaken, damage or destroy the silicone.
- Cleaning and disinfection: the IFU specifies drinking water, non-oil-based dish soap, a tube brush, and named disinfectants (70% ethanol, 70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide) and names no other method. Read the IFU for the exact routine.
- Replacement: maximum use period of 6 months, sooner if damaged.
- Storage: clean, dry container at room temperature, away from sunlight.
- Accessories: the IFU says to use only original components (HME cassettes, TubeHolder, LaryClips, adhesives).
Common misunderstandings
- Treating a laryngectomy tube as a tracheostomy tube; they are different devices.
- Using an oil-based lubricant.
- Passing the tube to another person or using it beyond the 6-month maximum.
- Assuming one brand’s sizes and intervals apply to every brand.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lary tube?
“Lary tube” is the common short name for a laryngectomy tube: a soft tube worn in the stoma after total laryngectomy to help keep the stoma open and to hold an HME.
Is a lary tube the same as a trach tube?
No. A tracheostomy tube is an airway tube that can connect to ventilation. The Provox LaryTube IFU lists mechanical ventilation as a contraindication.
How long can one laryngectomy tube be used?
For the Provox LaryTube, up to 6 months, or less if it is damaged. Other brands publish their own limits.
Can a laryngectomy tube be reused by someone else?
No. The IFU states it is for single patient use.
What sizes exist?
For the Provox LaryTube: diameters 8, 9, 10 and 12, lengths 27, 36 and 55 mm, with the Ring and Fenestrated models offered in 36 and 55 mm only.
Sources
- Atos Medical, Provox LaryTube Instructions for Use (manual 90734, 2022-03-14), checked 2026-11-01. Provox LaryTube IFU (PDF)
- Atos Medical, Provox LaryTube product information TechInfo PF011-01, checked 2026-11-01. Provox Lary products TechInfo (PDF)
- THANC Foundation, THANC Guide glossary, “Laryngectomy Tube”, checked 2026-11-01. thancguide.org glossary entry
