Primary Vocal Rehabilitation Using the Blom-Singer and Panje Voice Prostheses

1982 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Maves ◽  
Raleigh E. Lingeman

Vocal rehabilitation by means of tracheoesophageal puncture and placement of either the Blom-Singer or Panje silicone prosthesis has become a standard method of speech production following total laryngectomy. The same technique has been employed primarily at the time of the laryngectomy by the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center, and our experience with 11 patients undergoing this technique forms the basis for this report. Of the ten patients available for evaluation, all have developed satisfactory prosthetic speech 2–12 weeks following total laryngectomy. Advantages of this technique include the utilization of standard laryngectomy without compromise of oncologic principles, elimination of a second procedure to place the tracheoesophageal puncture, elimination of the nasogastric tube, care in the pharyngeal closure to afford the maximum success of prosthetic speech production, and finally, the psychological boost. Limitations of the technique have been few but relate to limited voicing with postoperative radiotherapy and unrealistic patient expectations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-620
Author(s):  
João Fonseca Neves ◽  
Ana Rita Nobre ◽  
Edite Portugal ◽  
Francisco Branquinho

Tracheoesophageal puncture for voice prosthesis placement is often used in vocal rehabilitation of patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Although its closure can occur spontaneously, some patients require a surgical procedure. We propose a surgical technique, without flap interposition, that begins with careful separation of the esophagus and trachea and identification of the site of tracheoesophageal fistula. After continuous suture closure of the esophagus, the anterior segment of the first tracheal rings is vertically incised to facilitate tracheal closure in a suture without tension. Finally, a small pectoral skin flap is made and mobilized to suture to the free edges of the sectioned tracheal rings, thus reducing the risk of tracheal stenosis. Four patients underwent this procedure with uneventful postoperative evolution and permanent closure of the fistula.


1996 ◽  
Vol 105 (7) ◽  
pp. 501-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Geraghty ◽  
Bonnie E. Smith ◽  
Barry L. Wenig ◽  
Louis G. Portugal

Since its introduction by Blom and Singer in 1980, tracheoesophageal puncture with a voice prosthesis has become the most frequently recommended choice for speech rehabilitation of total laryngectomees. Many studies have reviewed the initial speech acquisition success rates following tracheoesophageal puncture; however, long-term follow-up in these initial successes has been lacking. In addition, factors predictive of long-term success with tracheoesophageal speech have not been defined. Over a 10-yearperiod, we retrospectively reviewed all total laryngectomy patients, including those who have undergone primary or secondary tracheoesophageal puncture, at the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics and the Westside Veterans Administration Hospitals. Survival in the total laryngectomy cohort of 202 patients ranged from 35% to 50%. Forty of these patients underwent tracheoesophageal puncture, in whom survival was 75%. Short-term success with tracheoesophageal speech was approximately 70% for our patients, while long-term success was achieved in 66%. Despite low socioeconomic status and relatively high alcoholism rates, successful maintenance of tracheoesophageal speech was achieved in the majority of cases. Tracheoesophageal speech should therefore be considered as a primary method of vocal rehabilitation in all patients undergoing total laryngectomy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (03) ◽  
pp. 278-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dushyant Jaiswal ◽  
Prabha Yadav ◽  
Vinay Kant Shankhdhar ◽  
Rajendra Suresh Gujjalanavar ◽  
Prashant Puranik

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis is highly effective in providing speech after total laryngectomy. Although it is a safe method, in certain cases dilatation or leakage occurs around the prosthesis that needs closure of tracheoesophageal fistula. Both non-surgical and surgical methods for closure have been described. Surgical methods are used when non-surgical methods fail. We present the use of the sternocleidomastoid musculocutaneous (SCMMC) transposition flap for the closure of tracheoesophageal fistula. Materials and Methods: An incision is made at the mucocutaneous junction circumferentially around the tracheostoma. Tracheoesophageal space is dissected down to and beyond the fistula. The tracheoesophageal tract is divided. The oesophageal mucosa is closed with simple sutures. Then SCMMC transposition flap is raised and transposed to cover sutured oesophagus and the defect between the oesophagus and the trachea. Results: This study was done prospectively over a period of 1 year from June 2012 to May 2013. This technique was used in patients with pliable neck skin. In nine patients, this procedure was done (inferior based flap in nine cases) and it was successful in eight patients. In one case, there was dehiscence at the leading edge of flap with oesophageal dehiscence, which required a second procedure. In two cases, there was marginal necrosis of flap, which healed without any intervention. Nine patients in this series were post-radiation. Conclusion: This method of closure is simple and effective for patients with pliable neck skin, who require permanent closure of the tracheoesophageal fistula.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-81
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Simpson ◽  
Kathleen R. Corbin

Purdue University and the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery formed a joint Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program approved in 2002. Students gain foundational academic knowledge and clinical experience during the first 3 years of the program at Purdue University. During the 4th year of the program, students are placed at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis and continue to gain experience in diagnostics, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. Sixteen to 18 audiologists are involved in clinical teaching of these 4th-year students. Two administrative positions have been created in order to manage this clinical program. The Medical Center Liaison at Purdue University and the Coordinator of Medical Center Clinical Audiology Education at the IU Medical Center have specific responsibilities that create an organizational structure for both the audiologists and the students. These positions provide continued, clear communication between the faculty and audiologists at both campuses. These positions are critical in the success of the administration of the fourth year clinical experience of the joint AuD program.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
Rao Vishal ◽  
Anil K D'Cruz ◽  
Mandar Deshpande ◽  
Devendra Chaukar ◽  
Prathamesh Pai

Abstract Background Primary tracheoesophageal prosthetic speech is the gold standard for speech rehabilitation in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. However, despite a high success rate, the speech outcome can be suboptimal in 5-15% of these patients. The most frequent cause being hypertonicity of the pharyngoesophageal segment. We elaborate a simple clinical technique that can be performed in an outpatient clinic to identify the hypertonic pharyngoesophageal segment in patients with PES. Methods All these patients (13 males and 1 female) had undergone total laryngectomy and primary tracheoesophageal puncture followed by postoperative radiotherapy. Even after rigorous speech therapy, these patients had failed to develop fluent speech. The mean duration following surgery was 8 months (range 4-20 months). A simple clinical technique is elaborated utilizing the dermal ballooning effect observed in the cervical region to ascertain the site of pharyngo esophageal spasmodic segment. Results Using this technique we have been able to identify the hypertonic segment successfully in 13 of the 14 patients with PES. In these patients the trial lignocaine block was injected specifically at these points medial to the carotid vessels. Improvement in speech following the block was observed, and was further confirming using a videofluroscopy. Conclusion This technique serves as a simple and useful clinical tool to map the spasmodic segment and to guide the injection site for trial lignocaine block and as well for botulinum a toxin. In addition, it also prevents inadvertent injection to the normal segments.


1995 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony LaBruna ◽  
Jerry Huo ◽  
Iris Klatsky ◽  
Michael H. Weiss

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with use of a voice prosthesis is widely accepted as an excellent method of postlaryngectomy vocal rehabilitation. Many patients with advanced cancer require postoperative radiotherapy (RT), while other cancer patients have been treated with RT as a primary treatment and come to laryngectomy for salvage. The influence of RT on outcome of the TEP procedure with respect to successful speech and potential complications has not been widely discussed. We retrospectively reviewed 77 consecutive cases of TEP in patients who had received RT and laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. All cases had a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. All 77 patients were successful in obtaining speech with the TEP, and 75 (97%) continued to be TEP users thereafter. Eight patients (10%) developed complications in the course of treatment. There was no mortality. In selected patients, TEP after RT is a relatively safe and effective method of vocal rehabilitation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212199404
Author(s):  
He Yu ◽  
Xinyu Ma ◽  
Nianting Tong ◽  
Zhanyu Zhou ◽  
Yu Zhang

Importance: This is the first reported case of acute exudative paraneoplastic polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPPVM) in a patient with thymoma, accompanied by myasthenia gravis (MG) and polymyositis. Objective: To examine the pathogenesis of ocular disease in a patient with yolk-like fundus lesions and thymoma, MG, and polymyositis throughout the body based on clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and genetic testing to determine the appropriate treatment course. Design, setting, and participants: We describe a 63-year-old woman who presented to our tertiary medical center with a 3-month history of reduced visual acuity in both eyes. Concurrent fundoscopy revealed a 2.0 × 1.7-mm, unifocal, yellow, round vitelliform lesion in the macular region, surrounded by multifocal, shallow, yellow-white pockets of subretinal fluid. The patient’s medical history included thymoma with thymectomy treatment, combined with pericardiectomy and postoperative radiotherapy (20 years prior), followed by a diagnosis of MG with suspect thymic association (15 years prior). Three years prior, the patient had been diagnosed with polymyositis related to paraneoplastic syndrome; 1 year prior, she had been examined for pleural thickening due to suspected metastatic tumor. Results: On her most recent follow-up visit at 3 months after initial diagnosis, the patient was stable with no clinically significant progression in ocular or systemic conditions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982098334
Author(s):  
Claudio Parrilla ◽  
Ylenia Longobardi ◽  
Jacopo Galli ◽  
Mario Rigante ◽  
Gaetano Paludetti ◽  
...  

Objective Periprosthetic leakage represents the most demanding long-term complication in the voice prosthesis rehabilitation. The aim of this article is to discuss the various causes of periprosthetic leakage and to propose a systematic management algorithm. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Otolaryngology clinic of the University Polyclinic A. Gemelli–IRCCS Foundation. Methods The study included 115 patients with voice prosthesis who were treated from December 2014 to December 2019. All patients who experienced periprosthetic leakage were treated with the same step-by-step therapeutic approach until it was successful. Incidence, management, and success rate of every attempt are analyzed and discussed. Results Periprosthetic leakage was reported 330 times by 82 patients in 1374 clinic accesses. Radiotherapy, timing of tracheoesophageal puncture, and type of total laryngectomy (primary or salvage) did not influence the incidence of periprosthetic leakage. Salvage total laryngectomy increases the risk of more clinically relevant leakages. Conclusion By using a systematic algorithm with a step-by-step standardized approach, periprosthetic leakage management could become a less treacherous issue.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982098413
Author(s):  
Cecelia E. Schmalbach ◽  
Jean Brereton ◽  
Cathlin Bowman ◽  
James C. Denneny

Objective (1) To describe the patient and membership cohort captured by the otolaryngology-based specialty-specific Reg-ent registry. (2) To outline the capabilities of the Reg-ent registry, including the process by which members can access evidence-based data to address knowledge gaps identified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation and ultimately define “quality” for our field of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Methods Data analytics was performed on Reg-ent (2015-2020) Results A total of 1629 participants from 239 practices were enrolled in Reg-ent, and 42 health care specialties were represented. Reg-ent encompassed 6,496,477 unique patients and 24,296,713 encounters/visits: the 45- to 64-year age group had the highest representation (n = 1,597,618, 28.1%); 3,867,835 (60.3%) patients identified as Caucasian; and “private” was the most common insurance (33%), followed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (22%). Allergic rhinitis–unspecified and sensorineural hearing loss–bilateral were the top 2 diagnoses (9% each). Overall, 302 research gaps were identified from 17 clinical practice guidelines. Discussion Reg-ent benefits are vast—from monitoring one’s practice to defining otolaryngology–head and neck surgery quality, participating in advocacy, and conducting research. Reg-ent provides mechanisms for benchmarking, quality assessment, and performance measure development, with the objective of defining and guiding best practice in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. To be successful, patient diversity must be achieved to include ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Increasing academic medical center membership will assist in achieving diversity so that the quality domain of equitable care is achieved. Implications for Practice Reg-ent provides the first ever registry that is specific to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to collect patient outcomes and define evidence-based quality care.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 792-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross A. Clevens ◽  
Duane O. Hartshorn ◽  
Ramon M. Esclamado ◽  
Jan S. Lewin

The successful production of voice with a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and voice prosthesis requires a compliant pharyngoesophageal segment. Speech failure is commonly attributed to spasm of the pharyngoesophageal segment. During total laryngectomy (TL), a 3-layer closure is typically performed. This prospective single-arm study examines the safety and efficacy of TL and TEP with nonclosure of the pharyngeal musculature to prevent pharyngoesophageal spasm as an alternative to 3-layer closure with pharyngeal plexus neurectomy and/or pharyngeal constrictor myotomy. Twenty-one consecutive patients were enrolled by a single surgeon. The mean duration of follow-up was 19.5 ± 7.9 months. Surgical complications and voice rehabilitation outcomes were examined. An overall complication rate of 28.5% was observed. Fluency was achieved in 75% of patients within a mean of 4.3 ± 5.1 months. Speech failure was attributable to early primary site and neck recurrence (5%), hypoglossal nerve palsy (5%), hypopharyngeal stricture and recurrence (5%), dementia (5%), and intransigent alcohol abuse (5%). Pharyngeosophageal spasm was not observed in any subjects. We conclude that primary TEP with nonclosure of the pharyngeal muscle during TL is relatively safe. Furthermore, it is preferable over 3-layer closure because it avoids pharyngeosophageal spasm, a factor limiting voice rehabilitation.


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