Some complications of tracheo-oesophageal puncture for voice restoration.

Tracheo-oesophageal puncture for voice restoration is now a commonly performed operation. Little has been written about the complications of this procedure. In this report, complications such as septicaemia, cellulitis, respiratory obstruction, mediastinitis and paravertebral abscess are described. The incidence of these complications can be reduced by bearing in mind the distorted anatomy in the post-laryngectomy neck.