The long-term indwelling tracheoesophageal prosthesis for alaryngeal voice rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the initial experience at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, with the use of long-term indwelling tracheoesophageal voice prostheses. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral academic medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty patients undergoing speech rehabilitation after laryngectomy during a period of 18 months. INTERVENTION: Insertion of a long-term indwelling tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of use, complications. RESULTS: The mean duration of placement for a single prosthesis was 4.9 months (148 days), with a range of 14 to 330 days. Sixteen of the 30 patients encountered problems with leakage because of fungal colonization, the majority of which (15 of 16 cases) were solved with either oral or topical application of nystatin. Size matching in terms of prosthesis length and tract length was critical, and problems of this nature were encountered in 11 of 30 patients. The incorporation of a second system of prostheses that offered an increased number of size options solved these problems in all of these patients. Ultimately, 27 of 30 patients were able to successfully wear these prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: The indwelling tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis offers patients all the advantages of tracheoesophageal speech rehabilitation after laryngectomy without the inconvenience of frequent prosthesis changes. With careful attention to the details of fitting and care, it can be worn by the majority of patients successfully.     

Cost of tracheoesophageal prostheses in developing countries. Facing the problem from an internal perspective

CONCLUSIONS: All the discussants of our questionnaire agreed that the price of tracheoesophageal (TE) prostheses was too expensive for developing countries. The problem could be addressed in terms of international laws regarding companies' patent rights. TE prosthesis manufacturers from rich countries could move their manufacturing in part to developing countries. High production standards could allow TE prostheses to be exported to developed countries. Another approach to the problem may be based on a partnership between non-profit-making Western laryngological societies with specific medical and technical prosthetic know-how and local manufacturers. The aim of this cooperation could be the low-cost production of advanced TE prostheses in the developing countries. OBJECTIVES: In communities in the developing world, most laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are diagnosed at advanced stages and require total laryngectomy. Prosthetic TE voice restoration is the method of choice for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy in developed countries. Unacceptably high costs are a significant limitation to Third World use of TE voice prostheses. The aims of this paper are to discuss the consequences of the high costs of TE prostheses in developing countries with head and neck surgeons working in Third World hospitals and to propose how European and American laryngological societies can promote TE speech in the developing countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was given to a group of expert head and neck surgeons working in developing countries and their answers and suggestions discussed.     

Intratympanic dexamethasone up-regulates Fkbp5 in the cochleae of mice in vivo

Conclusions. All the discussants of our questionnaire agreed that the price of tracheoesophageal (TE) prostheses was too expensive for developing countries. The problem could be addressed in terms of international laws regarding companies’ patent rights. TE prosthesis manufacturers from rich countries could move their manufacturing in part to developing countries. High production standards could allow TE prostheses to be exported to developed countries. Another approach to the problem may be based on a partnership between non-profit-making Western laryngological societies with specific medical and technical prosthetic know-how and local manufacturers. The aim of this cooperation could be the low-cost production of advanced TE prostheses in the developing countries. Objectives. In communities in the developing world, most laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are diagnosed at advanced stages and require total laryngectomy. Prosthetic TE voice restoration is the method of choice for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy in developed countries. Unacceptably high costs are a significant limitation to Third World use of TE voice prostheses. The aims of this paper are to discuss the consequences of the high costs of TE prostheses in developing countries with head and neck surgeons working in Third World hospitals and to propose how European and American laryngological societies can promote TE speech in the developing countries. Material and methods. A questionnaire was given to a group of expert head and neck surgeons working in developing countries and their answers and suggestions discussed.     

Current indications and complications of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration after laryngectomy

Surgical voice restoration by valved tracheoesophageal fistula is undoubtedly the most successful method of voice restoration for laryngectomy patients, is one of the most important developments in head and neck surgery, and has resulted in a greatly enhanced quality of life for most patients who have undergone this debilitating procedure. In developed countries, it is now unacceptable to perform laryngectomy without giving patients the opportunity to undergo surgical voice restoration. Successful voice acquisition should be achievable in approximately 80% of patients. Success rates will be highest and problems most effectively dealt with under the auspices of a properly organized surgical voice restoration program within a specialist head and neck cancer unit with a well structured specialist multidisciplinary team. This article reviews recent publications addressing indications for surgical voice restoration by tracheoesophageal puncture, expected success rates, and reasons for failure and complications and ways to manage them in the context of the author's own experience.     

Postlaryngectomy voice restoration using a voice prosthesis: a single institution's ten-year experience

We describe the speech rehabilitation outcome of patients treated with total laryngectomy or total laryngopharyngectomy and insertion of Provox voice prostheses (Atos Medical AB, H?rby, Sweden) at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. We performed a retrospective chart review of 95 patients (88 men and 7 women; mean age, 63.5 years) who underwent insertion of a voice prosthesis in the period 1992 to 2002. Eighty-one percent (77/95) of the patients underwent a primary prosthesis insertion at the time of laryngectomy. A head and neck surgeon, a laryngologist, and a speech therapist rated the long-term tracheoesophageal speech of 78% (74/95) of the patients as good or average. The main causes for replacement of the device were obstruction, leakage or inadequate size of the prosthesis, and granulation or leakage around the fistula. According to our 10-year experience, use of the Provox prosthesis is an effective method of postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation, and it continues to be our preferred method of voice restoration in the majority of cases.     

Functional speech outcomes after laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare and contrast functional speech outcomes of patients having undergone total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy who use tracheoesophageal speech as their primary mode of communication. DESIGN: Group comparison design. SETTING: Adult acute tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty patients who underwent total laryngectomy and 13 who underwent pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal interposition reconstruction. All patients used tracheoesophageal speech. INTERVENTION: Group comparisons across measures of speech intelligibility, voice quality, tracheoesophageal speech use, voice satisfaction and levels of perceived voice disability, handicap, and well-being/distress. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The existence of any significant differences between the 2 groups on measures of intelligibility, voice quality, tracheoesophageal speech use, and voice satisfaction and levels of voice disability, handicap, and well-being/distress. RESULTS: Statistical comparisons confirmed reduced functional intelligibility (P<.05), reduced vocal quality (P<.01), and higher levels of disability (P<.05) in the pharyngolaryngectomy group. However, no significant difference was observed between the proportion of patients classified as "successful" tracheoesophageal speech users in either group. Low levels of handicap and high levels of patient well-being were recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the perceptual differences in voice quality and intelligibility observed between the 2 groups, tracheoesophageal speech that is functional, effective, and perceived by the patients as satisfactory can be achieved after total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal interposition reconstruction.     

The VoiceMaster voice prosthesis for the laryngectomized patient

Since the introduction and performance of total laryngectomy, voice restoration has become an important issue. Voice prostheses are widely used for this purpose. Based on experience with previous and current prostheses, the important characteristics for any voice prosthesis can be defined. These characteristics are: indwelling fixation, low resistance to airflow, less bothersome and easier insertion into the tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula. Also, predictable long device life span (resistance to Candida deterioration) and easy removal of the prosthesis to allow inspection or cleaning and consequent re-insertion are desirable. The VoiceMaster voice prosthesis was developed with these characteristics in mind. The VoiceMaster prosthesis is described in this paper. The first results from the preliminary study in which the currently available VoiceMaster was tested are very encouraging.     

Assessment of irregular voices after total and laser surgical partial laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES: To assess the merits of computer-aided voice analysis procedures for very irregular voices of patients after total and laser surgical partial laryngectomy, and to characterize qualitative differences in speech and voice function between these 2 groups of patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital in G?ttingen, Germany PATIENTS: Twenty-nine patients with advanced laryngeal carcinomas (T3-T4; according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer, TNM staging system, stages III-IVa) were examined: 18 patients with tracheoesophageal speech (voice prosthesis) after total laryngectomy and 11 patients who underwent partial transoral resection of the larynx (by means of laser microsurgery without surgical voice rehabilitation). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech intelligibility was measured by a standardized and validated telephone test, and voice quality was determined by 2 computerized voice analysis systems (multidimensional voice program and G?ttingen hoarseness diagram). RESULTS: The telephone test demonstrated a significantly better speech performance of the patients who had undergone organ-preserving surgery. The voices of both patient groups were too irregular for a qualitative differentiation with the multidimensional voice program. The multidimensional voice program results also failed to show significant correlations to speech intelligibility. The G?ttingen hoarseness diagram showed significantly more regular voices in patients with partial laryngectomy than total laryngectomy. These results were correlated with speech intelligibility. CONCLUSIONS: The G?ttingen hoarseness diagram is suitable for a qualitative assessment even of irregular voices. Voice prosthesis offers a voice quality that at best approaches that of patients with partial laryngectomy.     

Vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy using the Provox voice prosthesis

Vocal rehabilitation in laryngectomized patients can be attained by surgical (tracheoesophageal speech) or conservative methods (oesophageal speech or artificial larynx). We prospectively studied voice restoration in 37 patients who underwent total laryngectomy in the period from February 1991 to February 1993. The patients were given the opportunity to assess both non-shunt oesophageal speech and shunt oesophageal speech using the Provox voice prosthesis. The Provox low resistance, self-retaining voice prosthesis is a biflanged device made of silicon rubber. A primary tracheoesophageal puncture was made in 28 patients, while a secondary puncture was performed in another nine patients. The results were assessed according to criteria established at the ‘Third International Congress on Voice Prosthesis’ in Groningen (1988). Functional tracheoesophageal speech after primary puncture was achieved in 95% of patients 12 months after puncture, while oesophageal voice was acquired by 55%. Only minor surgical and prosthesis-related complications were encountered during this follow-up period in 29% of the patients. The device lifetime varied from 3 months to at least 2 years (mean 5.4 months).     

Primary tracheoesophageal puncture vs esophageal speech.

We studied the cost-efficiency profile of tracheoesophageal puncture with prosthesis insertion in alaryngeal patients who were given the opportunity of choosing between esophageal and prosthetic voice. A primary tracheoesophageal puncture was made in 28 patients who were undergoing total laryngectomy. Five of the patients were excluded from the study because of failure to phonate correctly with their prostheses. The remainder were given esophageal speech instruction while they were using tracheoesophageal speech, and were permanently allowed to shift between both techniques of alaryngeal voice. Seventy percent of the patients (16/23) left the prosthetic voice to use only esophageal speech, even though they agreed that prosthetic voice was superior to esophageal voice. The remaining 30% (7/23) continued to use tracheoesophageal speech almost exclusively. In the authors' opinion, primary tracheoesophageal punctures significantly provide both psychological and practical help, as they supply an immediate and clear postoperative voice, and one of every three patients will use them for daily oral communication. Nevertheless, esophageal speech is still the method of voice restoration preferred in our region by those of our patients who managed to learn it.     

Incompetent tracheoesophageal fistula following phonatory puncture. Surgical resolution

Large tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEF) following a total laryngectomy are rare. Most often are associated with the creation of a surgical speech fistula or puncture. We describe the surgical technique used in 3 patients with large TEF after a total laryngectomy and the creation of a speech fistula with a voice prosthesis, followed by radiation therapy. Pertinent literature is reviewed.     

Cineradiography of the pharyngoesophageal segment in postlaryngectomy patients

The use of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses has gained wide acceptance in the field of vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. In a randomized study with 3 arms, alaryngeal speech proficiency was assessed in 60 postlaryngectomy patients: 20 patients underwent primary unilateral pharyngeal myotomy, 21 patients underwent neurectomy of the pharyngeal plexus in addition to pharyngeal myotomy, and 19 patients did not undergo an additional surgical procedure. Pharyngoesophageal (PE) dynamics were examined during esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech. A single vibrating PE segment was seen in good alaryngeal speakers. Hypertonicity, spasm, strictures, and hypotonicity of the PE segment were correlated significantly with poor or moderate alaryngeal speech. Unilateral myotomy with or without unilateral neurectomy prevented hypertonicity or spasm of the PE segment. The acquisition of alaryngeal speech did not differ significantly between the 2 groups who had undergone an additional surgical procedure. Evaluation of anatomic and physiological factors may be helpful in subsequent clinical management to achieve effective alaryngeal speech.     

In vitro and in vivo comparison of the low-resistance Groningen and the Provox tracheosophageal voice prostheses

This study has been performed to evaluate and compare two frequently used indwelling tracheoesophageal voice prostheses, the low-resistance (LR) Groningen and the Provox voice prosthesis. The airflow resistance in vitro of the Provox prosthesis has been measured and compared to our reported results of the LR Groningen prosthesis. The in vivo study involved fifteen non-myotomized laryngectomees who randomly received one of the two prostheses. Measurements were performed of the intratracheal phonatory pressure and of voice parameters. The intelligibility of speech in noise was evaluated in eight patients. Patients preferences regarding the two prostheses were assessed. Aerodynamic measurements show the Provox voice prosthesis to have a lower airflow resistance. The median intratracheal phonatory pressure for phonation of 75 dB was significantly lower (2.1 kPa) in patients using the Provox voice prosthesis. Speech rate, maximal phonation time and maximal vocal intensity showed no significant difference. The intelligibility of speech in noise produced with the Provox was significantly better than the speech produced with the LR Groningen prosthesis. Subjectively, most patients preferred the Provox prosthesis because speech required less effort. Patients with a hypotonic pharyngoesophageal segment tended to prefer the LR Groningen prosthesis.     

Speech rehabilitation using a voice prostheses following laryngectomy

The most serious consequence for patients following laryngectomy is the restriction of verbal communication. Since the introduction of laryngectomy significant concerns have already been focused on the field of speech rehabilitation. The operational procedures for the speech rehabilitation include training of the oesophageal voice speech and the voice prostheses. Speech prostheses are available in our hospital since 1983. The speech quality of the speech prostheses is compared with the classical oesophageal voice or to the voice by means of a Provox speech help. Bacteriological and mycological colonisation as a function of the length of implantation are defined. Our approach to the voice rehabilitation after a laryngectomy by use of a spacer during the laryngectomy has proven successful. As a result patients do not fall into a "hole" of non verbal communication. The aim of our efforts is always to create a functioning oesophageal voice after leaving the care of the hospital.     

Amatsu法发音重建术60例评价

目的 评价Amatsu法发音蕈建术的临床效果.方法 60例喉全切除、双颈淋巴清扫术患者一期行Amatsu法发音重建术,其中喉癌49例,下咽癌11例;1例术前放疗80 Gy,20例术后放疗60～70 Gy.术后随访3～6年,评价言语、吞咽功能.结果 52例(86.7%)术后均获得良好的言语功能,其中吞咽功能正常51例,另1例进食流食时可见气管内少量滴漏.8例(11.3%)发音重建失败,吞咽功能均正常:4例因并发咽瘘(其中术前放疗1例),经换药、抗感染处理后咽瘘均痊愈,吞咽功能正常,但已敛发音管坏死,发音失败;2例因气管食管造口粘连致发音管闭锁,未再行补救性手术,改用人工喉发音;1例不明原因呼吸困难;1例无发音意愿.20例术后放疗者言语功能有暂时性影响,均恢复良好.结论 Amatsu法发音重建术可一期重建喉全切除患者的言语和吞咽功能,可获得良好的发音效果,术后放疗不影响患者的远期发音效果.     

Voice prosthesis — Our experience

Malignancy of the larynx is a large group of malignancies in our country. The advanced stage of laryngeal carcinoma requires total laryngectomy which results in loss of speech along with other psychological and functional damages. Following total laryngectomy, tracheo-oesophageal voice prosthesis offers the most reliable form of voice rehabilitation. At S.M.S. Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur 25 patient underwent speech rehabilitation with voice prosthesis between Dec. 2001 to Dec. 2003. Speech rehabilitation was successful in all patients with few problem associated with indwelling prosthesis.     

A British experience of surgical voice restoration as a primary procedure

It has been the aim of surgeons since Billroth first described laryngectomy to restore speech to the patient. However, a substantial percentage of patients fail to develop esophageal speech. Many authors have confirmed the success of the tracheoesophageal fistula procedure as a means of surgical voice restoration as a secondary procedure. We have performed tracheoesophageal puncture as a primary procedure at the time of laryngectomy in 36 patients, with a success rate of 89%. We believe that primary puncture is the method of choice for surgical voice restoration following laryngectomy.     

Long-term performance of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES: To assess the use of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy, to identify the clinicopathologic factors for favorable outcome, and to evaluate the factors that determine prosthesis lifetime. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: Sixty consecutive patients with total laryngectomy were included. All had indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves for voice restoration. INTERVENTION: Anterograde replacement of voice prosthesis in case of failure of functional speech production or leakage of saliva. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of successful tracheoesophageal speech rehabilitation for daily communication, influence of different clinicopathologic factors on the outcome, and prosthesis lifetime and its relationship to different clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS: The success rate of speech rehabilitation was 78%. Age younger than 60 years was the only clinicopathologic factor associated with successful speech rehabilitation (P = .04, Fisher exact test). The median device lifetime was 8.2 months. Both age of 60 years or older and the use of subsequent prosthetic valves were identified as risk factors for valve failure on univariate analysis (n = 192; log-rank test; P = .02 and P = .03, respectively), with age of 60 years or older as the only risk factor that reduced the device lifetime in the Cox proportional hazards model (P = .03; relative hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our success rate in using indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves was comparable to that reported in the Western literature. The median device lifetime of 8.2 months was satisfactory. Patient age was found to be a significant predictor of successful tracheoesophageal speech rehabilitation, with age of 60 years or more adversely affecting device lifetime.     

Blom-Singer发音管在喉全切除术后的临床应用

目的观察喉全切除术后应用Blom-Singer发音管重建喉发声功能的效果。方法回顾性分析1994年9月～2003年8月15例喉全切除术后行Blom-Singer发音管重建喉发声功能患者的临床资料。结果15例患者中12例行Ⅰ期发音管重建术，10例手术成功(10／12，83．33％)；3例行Ⅱ期发音管重建术，其中2例手术成功，两种术式的总成功率为80％(12／15)。Ⅰ期手术失败2例，与气管食管壁分离过多有关；Ⅱ期手术失败1例，系环咽肌切断不完全所致。结论喉全切除术后应用Blom-Singer发音管重建喉发声功能是一种有效的发声重建方法，环咽肌切断及保留气管食管壁的完整是手术成功的美键。     

Voice prosthesis in patients after total laryngectomy

The aim of the study is to present the role of voice prostheses in the voice rehabilitation in patients who underwent total laryngectomy. 7 patients with laryngeal cancer were included in the study. All patients are males aged 41-72 years (mean age 58) treated in the Department of Otolaryngology Medical Academy of Bialystok from November 2001 to March 2002. The voice prostheses were placed during the total laryngectomy in 5 patients. In 2 patients the voice prosthesis was placed in the period of 1.5 to 2 years after laryngectomy. The voice prostheses type Provox 2 were used in all cases. In 2 cases the prosthesis was in size of 8 mm, in 5 cases--10 mm. The control group included 7 patients after total laryngectomy without placing the voice prostheses. These patients developed oesophageal speech. All patients underwent phoniatric measurements during 12 to 30 days after the surgical procedure. The data indicate that patients who developed oesophageal speech, their voice in the range of subjective measurements is understandable but it is necessary to emphasize that the voice is harsh, low without fluency of the speech result from the intervals essential to accumulate the air in the oesophagus. The patients with voice prostheses have dull voice but more fluent and louder. The clarity of the voice of the patients with voice prostheses is significantly higher. According to the objective measurements all parameters are better in the oesophageal speech.