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     

两种无喉言语的比较研究

目的：比较无假体气管食管分流音与食道音在最大发声时间，可懂度和阅读时间等方面的差异，方法，研究对象包括年龄，性别和术后发声时间相当的两组无喉言语者，其中，食管音组21名，无假体气管食管音组30名，采集了两组的最大发声时间，可懂度和阅读时间的数据，用t检验分析最大发音时间和阅读时间（P＜0．05），H检验分析言语可懂度（P＜0．05），结果：食管音在这三个项目上均较气管食管分流音差；言语可懂度略差于气管食管分流音；言语流利度和最大发声时间均明显差于气管食管分流音。结论：无假体管食管音的言语效果优于食管音，而且其手术方法简单，容易训练，利于推广。     

Alternative voice after laryngectomy using a sound-producing voice prosthesis

OBJECTIVE: To improve the voice quality of female laryngectomees and/or laryngectomees with a hypotonic pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment by means of a pneumatic artificial source of voice incorporated in a regular tracheoesophageal (TE) shunt valve. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, randomized, crossover trial. METHODS: The new sound source consists of a single silicone lip, which performs an oscillatory movement driven by expired pulmonary air flowing along the outward-striking lip through the TE shunt valve. A prototype of this pneumatic sound source is evaluated in vitro and in six laryngectomees. In vivo evaluation includes speech rate, maximal phonation time, perceptual voice evaluation of read-aloud prose by an expert listener, speech intelligibility measurements with 12 listeners, and self-assessment by the patients. Moreover, extensive acoustical and aerodynamic in vivo registrations are performed using a newly developed data acquisition system. RESULTS: The current prototype seems beneficial in female laryngectomees with a hypotonic PE segment only. For them the sound-producing voice prosthesis improves voice quality and increases the average pitch of voice, without decreasing intelligibility or necessitating other pressure and airflow rates than regular TE shunt speech. Pitch regulation of this prosthetic voice is possible, yet limited. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism is feasible and does not result in unacceptable airflow resistance. For this new mechanism of alaryngeal voice to become an established technique for postlaryngectomy voice restoration, a voice suitably pitched for male laryngectomees has to be generated and a large part of the melodic and dynamic range of the sound source has to be attainable within physiological airflow rates.     

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.     

Neoglottic formation from posterior pharyngeal wall conserved in surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new treatment modality of hypopharyngeal cancer consisting of total laryngectomy plus partial pharyngectomy (TLPP) conserving the posterior wall of the pharynx vertically for voice restoration. METHODS: Review of hospital charts, TLPP was undertaken in 15 of 54 patients. Surgical modalities of reconstruction subsequent to TLPP were indicated on the basis of the width of posterior pharyngeal wall conserved during surgery. Posterior pharyngeal walls of width 3 cm or larger were sutured in primary closure. If the width of posterior wall was less than 3 cm, a free forearm flap or free jejunal flap was patched to the wall. Tracheo-esophageal shunt with a voice prosthesis was performed 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier method indicated no difference in survival rate between patients with TLPP (46.4%) and the remaining patients (47.4%). Nine of 15 patients with TLPP (two patients with primary closure, three with free forearm flap, and four with free jejunal flap) were examined for voice restoration and fluoroscopy of the neopharynx. Eight of the nine patients, in whom more than 2 cm of the posterior pharyngeal wall had been conserved, demonstrated a good speech rating, maximum phonation time and neoglottic formation by the posterior pharyngeal wall. CONCLUSION: The combination of conservation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, patch graft and a voice prosthesis is a useful method that offers sufficient quality of phonation without deterioration of survival rate for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.     

Further experience with tracheojejunal shunt speech after pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy

Over the past 10 years, 16 patients have undergone the tracheojejunal shunt operation for voice reconstruction after undergoing pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with free jejunum reconstruction for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. For the purpose of voice reconstruction, a 2-cm inferiorly based tracheal flap is obtained from the membranous part of the trachea by removing 4 cartilaginous tracheal rings. After the establishment of digestive continuity with the jejunal graft, a side-to-side anastomosis is created by approximating the incised margin of the jejunal mucosa to that of the tracheal flap. The tracheal flap is tubed to construct the tracheojejunal shunt. In addition, the incised margin of the jejunal serosa is sutured to the lateral wall of the shunt to reinforce the approximation of the shunt to the jejunal graft. Thirteen of the 16 patients (81%) were initially capable of voice production. The length of time during which tracheojejunal speech has been used ranges from 18 to 122 months, with a mean of 55 months. During follow-up, 12 of the 13 patients (92%) have been able to swallow without aspiration.     

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.     

Voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy: microvascular laryngeal replacement-plasty (laryngoplasty) instead of voice prosthesis

Since the introduction of the so-called voice prostheses tracheoesophageal puncture is currently the most widely used surgical procedure for vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. The voice prosthesis renders possible a reliably reproducible voice, which is superior (period of uninterrupted sound production, basal frequency, voice intensity) to the other techniques (esophageal speech, external vibrators, other surgical reconstructive measures), but has the following disadvantages: high initial phonation pressure, formation of granulation tissue around the voice shunt, blockage or leakage of the prosthesis or the voice shunt, displacement of the prosthesis, spontaneous occlusion when the prosthesis is accidentally removed, overtaxing the patients who have difficulties in replacing and cleaning the prosthesis. As an alternative new surgical technique a substitute larynx tube (laryngoplasty) was formed by a microvascular anastomotic forearm flap and connected to the trachea and pharynx in ten patients with extensive (T3-T4) laryngohypopharyngeal carcinoma. All ten patients developed a voice comparable with those of patients who have a voice prosthesis (frequency, voice intensity, period of uninterrupted sound production). An advantage of this graft over the voice prosthesis is that the phonation pressure required is low. While they were still in hospital eight patients learned to speak without using their hands by means of a tracheostomal valve. So far (six months postoperative) this surgical procedure has proved to be a practicable surgical alternative to a voice prosthesis.     

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.     

Vocal rehabilitation after pharyngo-laryngectomy—the Provox valve

We describe our experience using the Provox voice prosthesis in patients undergoing free jejunal loop transfer following total pharyngo-laryngectomy. From our series and the few reports in the literature, the use of a voice prosthesis appears to be an effective method of speech rehabilitation in this group of patients.     

无假体气管食管分流无喉言语者误咽变化的观察

目的 :探讨无假体气管食管分流无喉言语者误咽的变化过程和影响因素。方法 :1 6例喉癌患者做了喉全切除无假体气管食管分流发音重建术。结果 :术后随访 1年 3个月 9年 6个月 ,死亡 3例 ,存活 1 3例。误咽转归 :由术后不漏呛转为微漏呛 7例 ,术后始终微漏呛 4例 ,由明显漏呛转为微漏呛 5例。误咽对发音的影响 :不漏呛时发音好 ,变为微漏呛时发音依然好 ;不漏呛时发音费时费力 ,变为微漏呛时发音渐好 ;始终微漏呛始终发音好 ;漏呛明显时发音不好 ,变为微漏呛时发音渐变好。无一例始终明显漏呛且始终发音不好的患者。结论 :该类术式能达到术后无误咽固然很好 ,若能做到术后发音好 ,虽有微呛、微漏 ,但仍能控制 ,影响进食轻微 ,也是成功的 ;术后放疗、感染和 (或 )咽瘘对误咽有明显影响 ;误咽的转归及对发音的影响是一个复杂的问题 ,尚需深入研究     

Speech and voice outcomes in oropharyngeal cancer and evaluation of the University of Washington Quality of Life speech domain

Background: Radical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer can have significant impact on speech & voice outcomes. Aims: (i) To assess the extent of speech & voice handicap in disease‐free survivors of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer. (ii) To assess the validity of the speech domain of UWQOL as a screening tool. (iii) To identify clinical characteristics associated with worse speech/voice outcome. Design: Cross‐sectional survey. Setting: University Hospital Aintree, a university teaching hospital and tertiary referral centre. Patients: All who were treated for oropharyngeal cancer between 1 January 1999 and 31 May 2005, were alive, disease free and willing to participate. Interventions: Three patient‐based questionnaires: University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL), voice handicap index (VHI) and voice related quality of life (VRQOL). Three expert‐based assessments: GRBAS rating, speech intelligibility and dysarthria rating. Results: Sixty‐six per cent of patients participated. Median VHI score (29) & VRQOL score (15) imply mild to moderate voice impairment. 20% of patients had severe handicap (VHI score >60). Forty‐eight per cent had normal voice ratings. Speech was normal in 26%, mildly impaired in 62% and significantly impaired in 12% patients (UWQOL). Correlation between UW‐QOL speech domain with speech intelligibility rating was 0.52 (P < 0.001). There were clear demarcations between UW‐QOL scores of 30, 70 and 100 on the voice questionnaires. Adverse speech and voice function were associated with tumour stage, radiotherapy (RT) & free‐flap surgery. Conclusions: Voice & speech impairment is prevalent in >70% of oropharyngeal cancer patients. There is moderate correlation between UWQOL speech domain and speech intelligibility assessment & voice tools making it a quick and easy screening instrument. The main clinical correlates associated with adverse patient and observer rated speech and voice outcomes were tumour stage, RT and free‐flap reconstruction.     

48例喉全切除气管断端膜样部食管吻合分流发音重建术长期疗效观察

目的 研究喉全切除气管断端膜样部食管吻合分发音重建术的长期疗效。方法 利用自制的随访表，对白求恩国际和平医院48例患者做长期随访，其中喉癌行喉全切除发音重建术46例，下咽癌行喉全切除发音重建术2例。观察他们的发音和吞咽情况，并对手术并发症和生存率做了统计分析。结果 35例无喉者的言语水平接近正常喉言语水平，他们的最大的发音时程较长、听距较远、言语可懂度高、较流利。5例发音效果较差，但言语可懂度仍高。发音成功率83．3％（40／48）。成功组中，40．0％无喉言语者（16／40）有不影响正常进食的轻微误吸。另8例不能发音、也没有误吸。气管瘘口、气管－食管分流口感染和咽瘘是影响发音重建成功的重要因素。生存率与单纯喉全切除术相当。续集 该术式一期完成，操作简单，发音成功率高，一些病例虽有轻微误吸，但不影响正常进食，值得推广运用。     

A prospective study of tracheoesophageal speech

Gates et al suggested that commonly accepted statistics on esophageal speech acquisition may be inflated because they are compiled from retrospective observations that tend to exclude high-risk or poor-outcome patients who are unavailable or unwilling to be assessed. Using a multi-institution prospective study design, they demonstrated that at six months following laryngectomy only 12 (26%) of their 47 patients used esophageal speech. We prospectively assessed a group of 47 laryngectomees' pretracheoesophageal puncture and posttracheoesophageal puncture to determine the efficacy of this speech-rehabilitation method. Forty-four patients (94%) achieved good to superior tracheoesophageal speech, and, at one year, 39 patients (83%) continued to use their voice prosthesis. Results of this study reveal (1) preoperative speech intelligibility and acceptability, (2) predictive value of the preoperative esophageal insufflation test, (3) speech intelligibility and acceptability four days following initial voice prosthesis placement, (4) cost profiles, and (5) results and experiences at one year.     

48例喉全切除气管断端膜样部食管吻合分流发音重建术长期疗效观察

目的　研究喉全切除气管断端膜样部食管吻合分流发音重建术的长期疗效。方法　利用自制的随访表 ,对白求恩国际和平医院 48例患者做长期随访 ,其中喉癌行喉全切除发音重建术 46例 ,下咽癌行喉全切除发音重建术 2例。观察他们的发音和吞咽情况 ,并对手术并发症和生存率做了统计分析。结果　 35例无喉者的言语水平接近正常喉言语水平 ,他们的最大发音时程较长、听距较远、言语可懂度高、较流利。 5例发音效果较差 ,但言语可懂度仍高。发音成功率 83 3% (4 0 / 48)。成功组中 ,40 0 %无喉言语者 (16 / 40 )有不影响正常进食的轻微误吸。另 8例不能发音 ,也没有误吸。气管瘘口、气管 食管分流口感染和咽瘘是影响发音重建成功的重要因素。生存率与单纯喉全切除术相当。结论　该术式一期完成 ,操作简单 ,发音成功率高 ,一些病例虽有轻微误吸 ,但不影响正常进食 ,值得推广运用     

Acoustic Analyses Clarify Voiced-Voiceless Distinction in Tracheoesophageal Speech

In order to clarify the ability of the voice to achieve voiced-voiceless distinction in [ce1]tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, acoustic cues such as closure duration, onset and offset of vibration during closure period and voice onset time (VOT), in conjunction with intraoral pressure, were analyzed in 40 TE speakers. Both closure period and VOT during [p] production were longer in TE speakers with high intelligibility compared with laryngeal speakers; during [b] production these parameters were similar between the two groups. TE speakers with high intelligibility and laryngeal speakers showed significant differences between [p] and [b] production in terms of both closure duration and VOT. TE speakers with low intelligibility of [b] had higher values of VOT during [b] production compared with those with high intelligibility. TE speakers with low intelligibility of [p] had lower values of VOT during [p] production compared with those with high intelligibility. It is concluded that these characteristic acoustic cues reflect voicing ability in TE speech.     

Acoustic analyses clarify voiced-voiceless distinction in tracheoesophageal speech

In order to clarify the ability of the voice to achieve voiced voiceless distinction in [ce1]tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, acoustic cues such as closure duration, onset and offset of vibration during closure period and voice onset time (VOT), in conjunction with intraoral pressure, were analyzed in 40 TE speakers. Both closure period and VOT during [p] production were longer in TE speakers with high intelligibility compared with laryngeal speakers; during [b] production these parameters were similar between the two groups. TE speakers with high intelligibility and laryngeal speakers showed significant differences between [p] and [b] production in terms of both closure duration and VOT. TE speakers with low intelligibility of [b] had higher values of VOT during [b] production compared with those with high intelligibility. TE speakers with low intelligibility of [p] had lower values of VOT during [p] production compared with those with high intelligibility. It is concluded that these characteristic acoustic cues reflect voicing ability in TE speech.     

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.     

Nonsurgical management of the stoma to maximize tracheoesophageal speech

The anatomic site for respiratory exchange following total laryngectomy is the tracheostoma, which plays a key role in restoring pulmonary function in all laryngectomized patients and in restoring speech in patients who use tracheoesophageal (TE) voice production. Variations in stomal size, shape, and location are challenges in restoring speech and pulmonary function following total laryngectomy and TE puncture. A large, irregularly shaped, or recessed stoma that prevents adequate stomal occlusion or a small stoma that inhibits placement of a TE voice prosthesis is frustrating to the patient and requires creative management strategies. This article discusses the problems of stomal size, configuration, and location as they relate to TE voice restoration and reviews the nonsurgical strategies and techniques used to manage these problems.     

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.