Systematic Review of The Outcome of Different Modalities of Voice Rehabilitation Following Total Laryngectomy

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Adly Mohamed ◽  
Tarek Abdel hamid Hamdy ◽  
Anas Mohamed Askoura ◽  
Mohamed Samir Ahmed Kamal Mohamed Ghaly

Abstract Background Speech impairment occurs in 34-70% of head and neck oncologic patients. Management of this impairment is through surgical and nonsurgical methods. Progress in voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy has over the last 30 years, made an enormous difference in the whole concept of the management of laryngeal cancers. Objective To explore the outcome of different options of voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy and the advantages and disadvantages of each method in order to improve the quality of life of laryngectomized patients and the suggestion of future directions for research. Patients and Methods The Aim of this work is to provide cumulative data about the efficacy and safety of the outcome of different modalities of voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy. This review was done using standard methodology outlined in the Cochrane Handbook and reported the findings in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metaanalyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines. Results Voice rehabilitation is one of the most important determinants of the quality of life after total laryngectomy. Recent advances in prosthetic voice devices have made such devices the gold standard for voice rehabilitation. They are thus preferred and used more often than old methods (esophageal speech and artificial larynx). Conclusion Although, no single method is considered to be the best for every patient, the tracheoesophageal puncture has become the most preferred method in the past decade. But it is not always possible in all patients, the results of this study indicate that ES, when achievable, is a viable option that should be considered by surgeons when making intervention decisions on patients, and should be revived when indicated. But we need much more studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali Azad ◽  
Belayat H Siddiquee ◽  
AKM Asaduzzaman ◽  
Faisal Bin Mohsin ◽  
Mohammad Abul Hasnat

Introduction: Total laryngectomy is the gold standard treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer. Sacrifice of voice is one of the most important shortcomings of the procedure. Possibility of achieving good quality voice is greater with prosthesis compared to other method. Post laryngectomy voice rehabilitation with prosthesis yield excellent outcome in most of the cases. Swallowing, pulmonary and olfactory rehabilitation should be managed by multidisciplinary team for better quality of life (QoL). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the outcomes of voice, swallowing pulmonary and olfactory rehabilitation and QoL following total laryngectomy. Methods: This cross sectional retrospective clinical study was conducted at the Head & Neck Oncology Unit, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Total 57 candidates were selected. Diagnosis was done by thorough clinical examination, Fibre Optic Laryngoscopy. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scan of neck was done except few cases where MRI of neck was done for subtle cartilage erosion was suspected. Examination under anaesthesia, direct larangoscopy and biopsy was done for every cases. Candidates were post chemo-radiated/ radiated biopsy proven recurrent cases, clinically nonfunctional larynx with aspiration and radiologically evident of cartilage erosion. In all cases artificial voice prosthesis was used. All the laryngectomees underwent voice, swallowing, pulmonary and olfactory rehabilitation in laryngectomy club of head & neck oncology unit, CMH Dhaka for a period of 3 months as per standard protocol. Results: Among the 57 patients 42 of them are using voice prosthesis without any complications till to date. Voice rehabilitation started after wound healing & developed meaningful voice in around 6 weeks. Satisfactory speech & voice outcomes were observed near about 3 months. Voice quality was assessed by multivariate statistical analysis. Excellent voice was observed for 38 patients, good voice for 12 patients, fair voice for 05 patients and poor voice for 02 patients. Troubleshooting like mycotic infection developed in 6 patients which was managed by anti-fungal medication with regular appropriate cleaning, Pharyngocutaneous fistula developed in 5 patients, 3 healed later by pressure dressing and anticholinergic & 1 required exploration and flap reconstruction, 01 developed recurrent stomal stenosis which managed surgically by Y-V advancement. Prosthesis expelled out in 3 cases. 02 cases developed dysphagia due to tonicity of pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment & managed by botox injection. Significantly better voice & swallowing were reported by patients undergone laryngectomy alone in comparison with patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy & patient undergoing salvage laryngectomy. Conclusion: Awareness should be developed as sacrifice of voice box is no more a permanent comorbidity of total laryngectomy. Excellent voice can be developed by insertion of voice prosthesis as well as swallowing pulmonary and olfactory rehabilitation following laryngectomy for better of QoL. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2021; 27(1): 5-11


Author(s):  
Salvatore Cocuzza ◽  
Antonino Maniaci ◽  
Calogero Grillo ◽  
Salvatore Ferlito ◽  
Giacomo Spinato ◽  
...  

(1) Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting the upper aerodigestive tract. Despite ensuring good oncological outcome in many locoregionally advanced cases, total laryngectomy is associated with relevant physical and psychological sequelae. Treatment through tracheo-esophageal speech, if promising, can lead to very variable outcomes. Not all laryngectomee patients with vocal prosthesis benefit from the same level of rehabilitation mainly due to the development of prosthetic or fistula related problems. The relating sequelae in some cases are even more decisive in the patient quality of life, having a higher impact than communicational or verbal skills. (2) Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 63 patients initially enrolled with a history of total laryngectomy and voice rehabilitation, treated at the University Hospital of Catania from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2018. Quality of life (QoL) evaluation through validated self-administrated questionnaires was performed. (3) Results: The Voice-Related Quality of Life questionnaire revealed significantly better outcomes in both socio-emotional and functional domains of the tracheoesophageal patient group compared to the esophageal group (p = 0.01; p = 0.01, respectively), whereas in the Voice Handicap Index assessment, statistically significant scores were not achieved (p = 0.33). (4) Discussion: The significant differences reported through the V-RQOL and Voice Handicap Index scales in the presence of fistula related problems and device lifetime reduction when compared to the oesophageal speech group have demonstrated, as supported by the literature, a crucial role in the rehabilitative prognosis. (5) Conclusions: The criteria of low resistance to airflow, optimal tracheoesophageal retention, prolonged device life, simple patient maintenance, and comfortable outpatient surgery are the reference standard for obtaining good QoL results, especially over time. Furthermore, the correct phenotyping of the patient based on the main outcomes achieved at clinical follow-up guarantees the primary objective of the identification of a better quality of life.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110137
Author(s):  
Catherine T. Haring ◽  
Janice L. Farlow ◽  
Marie Leginza ◽  
Kaitlin Vance ◽  
Anna Blakely ◽  
...  

Objective Surgical procedures that render patients acutely aphonic can cause them to experience significant anxiety and distress. We queried patient perceptions after tracheostomy or laryngectomy and investigated whether introducing augmentative technology was associated with improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Methods Participants included hospitalized patients who acutely lost the ability to speak due to tracheostomy or total laryngectomy from April 2018 to December 2019. We distributed questions regarding the patient communication experience and relevant questions from the validated V-RQOL questionnaire (Voice-Related Quality of Life). Patients were offered a tablet with the electronic communication application Verbally. Pre- and postintervention groups were compared with chi-square analyses. Results Surveys were completed by 35 patients (n = 18, preintervention; n = 17, postintervention). Prior to using augmentative technology, 89% of patients who were aphonic reported difficulty communicating, specifically noting breathing or suctioning (56%), treatment and discharge plans (78%), or immediate needs, such as pain and using the bathroom (39%). Communication difficulties caused anxiety (55%), depression (44%), or frustration (62%), and 92% of patients were interested in using an electronic communication device. Patients reported less trouble communicating after the intervention versus before (53% vs 89%, P = .03), including less difficulty communicating about treatment or discharge plans (35% vs 78%, P < .01). V-RQOL scores were unchanged. Discussion Acute loss of phonation arising from surgery can be highly distressing for patients, and use of augmentative technology may alleviate some of these challenges by improving communication. Further studies are needed to identify what additional strategies may improve overall well-being. Implications for Practice Electronic communication devices may benefit patients with acute aphonia.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 730
Author(s):  
Jeong Won Lee ◽  
Ki Ho Seol

Keloids are a benign fibroproliferative disease with a high tendency of recurrence. Keloids cause functional impairment, disfigurement, pruritus, and low quality of life. Many therapeutic options have been used for keloids. However, the high recurrence rates have led to the use of adjuvant therapy after surgical keloid excision. There are different radiotherapy regimens available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are still unclear. The aim of this review is to explain the appropriate radiotherapy regimen for keloids as well as discuss the recent reports on keloid management with radiotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy after surgical excision for keloids yields excellent local control with tolerable side effects. Hypofractionated radiotherapy with a BED of more than 28 Gy (α/β value of 10) after excision is recommended in the light of its biologic background.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nille B. Wulff ◽  
Susanne O. Dalton ◽  
Irene Wessel ◽  
Beatriz Arenaz Búa ◽  
Helena Löfhede ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Antonino Maniaci ◽  
Jerome Renee Lechien ◽  
Sebastiano Caruso ◽  
Francesco Nocera ◽  
Salvatore Ferlito ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Laura Bragonzoni ◽  
Giuseppe Barone ◽  
Francesco Benvenuti ◽  
Veronica Canal ◽  
Claudio Ripamonti ◽  
...  

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic disease of the skeleton characterized by increased risk of fracture. There is a general consensus on the efficacy of physical activity in the prevention of bone loss, falls and fractures, but there is no agreement on the best setting to exercise. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a 12-months exercise protocol for women with post-menopausal OP when administered as individual home training (IHT) versus gym group training (GGT). The study is a randomized trial with two parallel groups. Sedentary patients with primary post-menopausal osteoporosis are recruited at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli of Bologna. In the first group, the 12-month ACTLIFE program is performed as IHT, while in the second as GGT. The program is aimed at improving joint mobility, muscle force, balance, motor coordination and endurance. The study is single blinded. Patients are assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the modification of quality of life measured with the Short Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ECOS-16). The findings of this study will highlight advantages and disadvantages of exercising in the two different settings and provide evidence on how to increase physical activity in osteoporotic women.


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