VOICE REHABILITATION AFTER TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY IN TUTH

Abstract

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to assess the success rate and to evaluate the quality of esophageal voice in patients with total laryngectomy in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH).

Materials & Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent total laryngectomy for carcinoma of larynx in TUTH between April 2005 to October 2008. Most of them received post operative external beam radiotherapy & joined training programme for esophageal voice conducted by Laryngectomy Club. Ability of patients to produce speech & quality of voice were assessed.

Results:

Total Laryngectomy was done in 54 patients for carcinoma of larynx in TUTH in the duration of April 2005 to October 2008. Majority were males (47), youngest age of 38 year & oldest 85 year. Total Laryngectomy only was done in majority of patients (44) & additional neck dissection in others. 36 cases joined the esophageal voice training & all acquired satisfactory speech in the duration of weeks to months.

Conclusion:

Esophageal voice is simple & safe though time consuming. Post Laryngectomy morbidity has been reduced by it. It has been most common method of voice rehabilitation in our parts due to lack of other methods of rehabilitation.

Keywords: Esophageal voice, rehabilitation, total laryngectomy