Voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy with voice prostheses. Results of a prospective follow-up study]

Although the results of surgical rehabilitation by means of voice prostheses are on the average better than rehabilitation via oesophageal speech, the tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP)-technique has so far not been widely used in Germany. The majority of hospitals still prefer the "traditional" method of voice rehabilitation using oesophageal speech. The present prospective study was undertaken to compare the results of postlaryngectomy vocal rehabilitation, if patients were offered the surgical voice rehabilitation via voice prosthesis as an alternative to oesophageal speech. Taking into account all the patients who underwent laryngectomy from 1989 until 1990 in Tübingen, primary surgical voice rehabilitation was performed in 44 out of 54 patients (81.5%). Interestingly enough, 34 patients who underwent laryngectomy were able to perform communication via the telephone on the day of their discharge. Moreover, one-third of the laryngectomised patients showed a significant increase in speech intelligibility within the first six months after laryngectomy. 36 patients with laryngectomy were able to attain proficiency 6 months after surgery. In 12 patients the prosthesis had to be removed, since either phonation was impossible or patients successfully learned and preferred oesophageal speech. In conclusion, independent of the method of voice rehabilitation (prosthesis, electrolarynx, oesophageal speech), our results support the hypothesis that a voice rehabilitation regimen will yield a higher rehabilitation rate of patients if rehabilitation via surgical voice is offered as an alternative to learning the oesophageal voice. Therefore, it seems to be advisable that patients are allowed to have the choice between surgical rehabilitation and oesophageal speech restoration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

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.     

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.     

Voice rehabilitation with Provox2 voice prosthesis following total laryngectomy for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of the Provox2 voice prosthesis for voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy. METHODS: From September 2000 to December 2004, the Provox2 voice prosthesis was used for voice rehabilitation in 32 patients following total laryngectomy. The quality of speech with the Provox2 voice prosthesis was analyzed using the HRS rating scale, the maximum phonation time (MPT), incidence of complications and the in situ lifetime. The rate of speech restoration was further analyzed in 129 patients with total laryngectomy from 1996 to 2004. RESULT: Twenty-nine of 32 patients were able to restore speech using the Provox2 voice prosthesis, a speech restoration rate of 90.6%. The maximum phonation time (MPT) was measured in 18 patients using the Provox2 voice prosthesis. The mean MPT was 15.1 s, with a range of 8-28 s. MPT was not influenced by age, concurrent radiotherapy treatment, the location of the primary tumor or use of reconstructive surgery. The average lifetime of the Provox2 in patients with laryngeal carcinoma (12 patients) and hypopharyngeal carcinoma (17 patients) was 27.2 and 16.6 weeks, respectively, which was significantly different (P=0.024, non-parametric Mann-Whitney's U-test). The rate of speech restoration by the use of esophageal speech, and insertion of an artificial larynx was 62.7% for laryngeal carcinoma (59 cases) and 38.6% for hypopharyngeal carcinoma (70 cases), which was also significantly different (P<0.01, chi-square test). CONCLUSION: Provox2 voice prosthesis speech was very useful due to the higher rate of speech restoration, longer phonatory time, and better intelligibility. It was also thought that voice prosthesis speech was useful in conjunction with esophageal speech and an artificial larynx depending on the patient's condition or wishes.     

Provox voice prosthesis — The Indian experience

Following Total Laryngectomy, Tracheo-oesophageal speech prosthesis offers the most reliable form of voice rehabilitation. Of the various prostheses currently available. The Provox voice prosthesis developed by the Netherlands Cancer Institute has been the most popular due to its superior design and in-dwelling nature. At the Apollo Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad, 17 patients underwent speech rehabilitation with the Provox voice prosthesis between February 1999 and July 2000. Speech rehabilitation was successful in all patients with the majority (82%) developing Good—Excellent speech. Two patients required replacement and one patient discontinued use of the prosthesis. There were no complications in any of the other patients.     

Surgical voice restoration following ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Surgical voice restoration is an important part of functional rehabilitation of patients following ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the functional status with regard to speech of a cohort of 100 patients (age ranged 34-84 years), who underwent laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy over a 10-year period (1989-1999). Ninety-two patients consented to surgical voice restoration. Primary tracheoesophageal punctures were performed in 70 and secondary punctures in 22 (mainly after jejunal flap reconstruction). Nine patients were excluded from this analysis (seven patients died prior to assessment, one had the prosthesis removed at her request and one patient had insufficient follow-up). Tracheoesophageal speech was assessed in the remaining 83 patients using a rating scale measuring the number of syllables per breath, use of voice and intelligibility by non-professional listeners. Currently, Provox 2 valves are being used in the majority of patients. Overall tracheoesophageal speech results were good in 45/83 (54.2 per cent), average in 22/83 (26.5 per cent) and poor in 15/83 (18 per cent). One patient could not develop tracheoesophageal speech. The majority of laryngectomy patients had good speech but in patients who had complex reconstructions tracheoesophageal speech was mostly rated as average. Average to good speech in more than two-thirds of the cohort of patients show that surgical voice restoration is a highly successful and valuable technique to restore speech functions after ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.     

纤维喉镜下气管食管穿刺术及Provox发音钮植入的体会

目的 探讨采用纤维喉镜监察替代硬管食管镜或颈外径路进行气管食管穿刺及植入Provox发音钮的效果。方法 本文引述2例在纤维喉镜下进行二期气管食管穿刺术，2例分别在全麻及局麻下进行，植入Provox发音钮后，再以纤维喉镜检定位置。结果 2例术后能实时使用Provox发音钮发声，音色响亮清澈，并无不良反应。结论 纤维喉镜监察下进行气管食管穿刺术，准确性高，手术创伤小，对因手术或放疗引起颈项不能后仰的病人特别有利。     

Prothetische Stimmrehabilitation nach Laryngektomie

BACKGROUND: Indwelling voice prostheses are state of the art for post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of radiation prior to tracheoesophageal puncture on success rate and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of 145 patients who had undergone prosthetic voice restoration between 1990 and 2002 (Provox) and Provox2). Risks of functional failure and complications in 17 patients with previous radiation therapy were compared to those of 128 patients without such therapy. RESULTS: Previous radiation increased not only the risk of functional failure by 2.9 (P=0.023), but also the risk of shunt-related complications such as aspiration around the prosthesis (1.51; P=0.046), widening of the shunt (2.32; P=0.014), esophageal (2.51; P=0.013) or tracheal (3.29; P=0.0023) dislocation of the prosthesis and spontaneous (2.51; P=0.047) or surgical closure (3.76; P=0.037) of the shunt. CONCLUSION: Primary tracheoesophageal puncture during laryngectomy is recommended in cases without previous radiation therapy, especially when post-laryngectomy radiation is likely. In patients with previous radiation therapy, generally good success rates decrease, however, without absolute contraindication of tracheoesophageal puncture. These results may affect salvage surgery concepts.     

The use of the vocal prosthesis Provox 2 for speech rehabilitation after total laryngectomy

The authors have presented the application and usage the alloplastic vocal prosthesis Provox 2 to serve for rehabilitation speech after total laryngectomy. Surgical technique of implantation of vocal prosthesis was discussed. The authors estimated in 6 patients following parameters of speech; fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time of vowel "a", maximum intensity and degree of dysphonia. In all 6 cases post-operative course was uncomplicated. Above mentioned parameters of voice were measured in order to comparison quality of oesophageal speech to tracheo - oesophageal speech. The authors assessed speech at 6 patients with voice prosthesis and 6 with good oesophageal speakers as a control group. The results of our investigations showed, that quality of tracheo - esophageal speech obtained with usage vocal prosthesis Provox 2 is more like normal speech than oesophageal speech. Social efficiency and quality of tracheo - oesophageal voice is better than oesophageal voice.     

Voice restoration after circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunum repair

Speech restoration after circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal repair for advanced tumors of the hypopharyngo-esophageal tract remains a difficult problem to solve. We report here the results of secondary voice restoration in six patients who received a Provox 2 type prosthesis and intensive speech therapy after circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunum repair. No patient had operative or post-operative complications due to insertion of the prosthesis. No patient had to have the prosthesis removed during the follow-up (8 to 14 months). Analysis of some acoustic parameters of voice (fundamental frequency, waveform perturbations) and qualitative characteristics of speech (intelligibility, pleasantness and acceptability) demonstrated that all the patients were able to produce satisfactory speech after tracheojejunum puncture and speech therapy and were satisfied with their own ability to communicate. Our results are reassuring and we therefore advise that in patients undergoing free jejunum flap reconstruction of the hypopharyngo-esophageal tract voice restoration should be attempted by placing a voice prosthesis through a secondary tracheo-esophageal puncture and providing intensive speech training. Received: 17 December 1998 / Accepted: 29 January 2001     

Speech rehabilitation using Provox voice prosthesis

The first voice prosthesis was described in 1972 by Mozolewski. Eight years later Blom and Singer constructed the first commercial prosthesis. In 1988 another prosthesis was presented as Provox system prosthesis. The aim of the study was to describe the technique of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and to present two years results of the technique performed in 21 patients. Primary TEP with immediate implantation of the Provox 2 prosthesis was applied in 16 (76%) patients. In five patients (24%) secondary TEP was performed. All the patient with primary TEP had cricopharyngeal myotomy. In 7 patients the vocal prosthesis was exchanged. In five because of leakage through the valve and in two patients the vocal prosthesis was extruded. Leakage around the prosthesis occurred in two patients with secondary TEP. The mean device-related lifetime was 216 days and ranged from 30 to 540 days. In non-radiated patients the lifetime of the prosthesis was 255 days and in patients after radiotherapy the lifetime was 150 days. In all the patients the prosthetic voice was more similar to normal voice than in patients with esophageal speech. The implantation of the voice prosthesis is a simple method of restoring of a good quality voice enabling communication.     

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.     

The onset of allergic rhinitis in Japanese atopic children: a preliminary prospective study

Conclusion. The new Provox® NID? non-indwelling voice prosthesis investigated in this study provides a good option for laryngectomized patients using non-indwelling voice prostheses and can potentially improve safety and increase patients’ satisfaction with their voice and speech. Objective. To investigate the feasibility of and patient satisfaction with the Provox NID non-indwelling voice prosthesis. Material and methods. Pre- and post-study questionnaires were used to evaluate the patients’ former voice prosthesis and the Provox NID voice prosthesis. In addition, measurements of pull-out force, maximum phonation time and loudness were made for both voice prostheses. In vitro measurements of airflow characteristics were also made. Following a 6-week trial, all patients provided feedback on the new voice prosthesis and the results were used to further improve the Provox NID. This final version of the new voice prosthesis was subsequently trialled and evaluated by 10 patients 6 months later. Results. Overall results showed that patient satisfaction with the Provox NID non-indwelling voice prosthesis was favourable. The pull-out force for the new prosthesis was significantly higher than that for the formerly used prosthesis and its aerodynamic characteristics were better.     

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.     

Results of vocal rehabilitation using tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy and their predictive factors

The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate prosthetic voice restoration by tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) in laryngectomized patients and to identify clinical factors correlated with functional outcomes. Between 2000 and 2008, 103 patients who underwent total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) were included in our study. Functional outcomes were recorded 6 months postoperatively, and results were scored from 0 to 2 for oral diet and speech intelligibility. Lifetime of voice prosthesis and early and late complications were recorded. The impact of several clinical factors on functional outcomes, prosthetic valve lifetime and complications was assessed in univariate analysis. A total of 87 patients (84%) underwent TEP and speech valve placement (79 primary and 8 secondary punctures). Hypopharyngeal tumors (P = 0.005), circular TPL (P = 0.003) and use of a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (P = 0.0003) were significantly associated with secondary TEP. Successful voice rehabilitation was obtained by 77 of 82 evaluable patients (82%). A high level of comorbidity (ASA score ≥ 3; P = 0.003) was correlated to speech rehabilitation failure. The median device lifetimes were 7.6 and 3.7 months for Provox I and II speech valves, respectively. Minor leakage around the valve occurred in 26% of the patients. Late complications occurred in 14 patients (16%) including: severe enlargement of the fistula (n = 3), prosthesis displacement (n = 7) and granulation tissue-formation (n = 4). In conclusion the use of voice prosthesis showed a high success rate of vocal rehabilitation with an acceptable complication rate.     

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.     

Management of persistent tracheoesophageal puncture

Tracheoesophageal puncture with placement of a voice prosthesis (VP) provides successful speech rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. However, enlargement of the tracheoesophageal puncture is a challenging complication as it results in leakage around the VP into the airway and may eventually lead to aspiration pneumonia and respiratory complications. It necessitates removal of the VP and permanent closure of the tracheoesophageal fistula. We present our own experience for surgical closure of persistent tracheoesophageal puncture. A non-controlled prospective study was conducted at the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Zagazig University Hospitals, Zagazig, Egypt. This study included five patients with an enlarged tracheoesophageal puncture. They had persistent leakage around the VP with resulting recurrent chest infections. None of the patients underwent previous surgical intervention for closure of the tracheoesophageal fistula. This surgical technique involved identification and exposure of the tracheoesophageal fistula tract by blunt dissection and its ligation by non-resorbable sutures at two points close to the posterior wall of the trachea without dividing the fistula tract. The mean follow-up period was 14.4 months. Successful closure of the fistula was achieved in all patients (100 %). All patients tolerated full diet well and had uneventful recovery and no further episodes of aspiration. This surgical technique is simple, easily feasible technically, and effective. It enables early oral feeding and allows a short hospital stay, thus increasing the patient’s comfort.     

Surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy: long-term results

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with a voice prosthesis has been the preferred treatment for speech rehabilitation of total laryngectomies at the Dr. Peset Hospital since 1984. This study reviews 350 consecutive patients over a 15-year period. There were 334 patients with primary and 16 with secondary TEP. Long-term tracheoesophageal speech was achieved in approximately 70% ¶of our patients. Problems related to or affecting TEP for voice restoration were studied. The different types of problems identified occurred in proportions ranging from 0.6% to 18%. Most of them were easily managed, but problems such as salivary leakage and dislodging of the prosthesis led to tracheoesophageal tract closure in 30% of the patients.     

Compliance,quality of life and quantitative voice quality aspects of hands-free speech

Conclusions

With the use of a new automatic stoma valve (ASV) it appears possible to rehabilitate patients who have previously been unsuccessful in acquiring hands-free speech. As well as making daily ASV use possible for an additional group of patients, this new device was also appreciated by many patients as an additional rehabilitation tool for specific occasions. Despite statistically significant improvements in aspects of voice and breathing using this novel ASV, improvement of peristomal adhesion is probably the main factor needed to further increase success rates. Nevertheless, our results show that it makes sense to keep trying to achieve hands-free speech, even if previous attempts have failed.

Objective

To make a long-term (6 months) assessment of compliance and aspects of voice, breathing and quality of life using a new ASV: the Provox FreeHands heat and moisture exchanger (HME).

Material and methods

This was a prospective clinical multicentre trial in 79 laryngectomized patients (8 regular ASV users, 58 previously unsuccessful users and 13 new users). Data were collected at baseline and after 1 and 6 months by means of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaires and specific structured questionnaires concerning compliance, skin adhesion, voicing and pulmonary aspects. An objective assessment of voice parameters (maximum phonation time, maximum phonation time while counting, dynamic loudness range and number of pauses in a standard read-aloud text) was made for comparison of different stoma occlusion methods (digital occlusion via an HME and two different ASVs). A subjective assessment of overall voice quality was made.

Results

After 6 months, 19% of patients used the new ASV on a daily basis (mean 5?h/day), while 57% used it on an irregular basis as an additional rehabilitation tool for special occasions. Two-thirds of the study group indicated that they would continue to use the new ASV after the study period. With respect to the objective parameters, statistically significantly better maximum phonation times and dynamic loudness ranges were observed with the new ASV compared to the Blom–Singer ASV. However, the best results for all the objective parameters were obtained with digital occlusion via the Provox HME.     

Traissac voice prosthesis. Apropos of 9 years experiences

BACKGROUND: Long term results are discussed. PATIENTS: A retrospective study of 9 years (1/01/89, 1/01/98) concern 107 laryngectomized patients with 9 patients a part from this period, and 30% without prosthesis. Among 80 patients with prosthesis, 57% had received primary TEPs (tracheoesophageal puncture), 21% delayed primary TEPs and 22% secondary TEPs. Oesophageal voice is always learned with tracheoesophageal voice. RESULTS: We find a success rate (1 month) in 75% of cases, with a maximum follow up time of 8 years (the average is 3 years 1 month). We find a success rate with a long-term result in 66% of cases. Prosthesis removal exists in 30% of cases and oesophageal voice is successfull once out of 3 in this cases. Mean lifetime Traissac's prosthesis is 18 months. After removal, non closed fistulas can exist in 40% of cases, and surgery is always successful. DISCUSSION: Material Traissac's prosthesis explains extended lifetime. CONCLUSION: Traissac's prosthesis gave us satisfaction during a use of 8 years.