Tracheoesophageal voice restoration following laryngotracheal separation procedure.

OBJECTIVES

Laryngeal dysfunction leading to incompetence and intractable aspiration can be a life-threatening problem. Laryngotracheal separation (LTS) can be used to prevent aspiration, but results in aphonia. The options for laryngeal speech following LTS are limited.

METHODS

We performed tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and insertion of a Blom-Singer valve in 3 patients in an attempt to restore their voice after LTS for chronic aspiration.

RESULTS

Two patients had intractable aspiration (5 and 14 years) after full-course radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer, and 1 patient had aspiration after a stroke. In the first patient TEP was done as a secondary procedure, and in the other 2 patients it was done at the time of the LTS. The TEP was successful in providing these patients with phonation ability after their LTS procedure. There was no morbidity from these procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Creation of a TEP after an LTS procedure is relatively simple and relatively safe, and allows for the control of aspiration while maintaining vocal function.