Starling J R, Vandemark A A
Am Surg. 1979 Jun;45(6):407-9.
Severe reflux esophagitis occurring after total laryngectomy in a patient who has learned to communicate by esophageal speech represents a unique problem in management. It was anticipated that an antireflux operation might interfere with esophageal speech. A Nissen fundoplication resulted in complete resolution of signs and symptoms of reflux esophagitis without compromising esophageal speech. A comparison of pre- and post-operative speech functions suggests that more noticeable changes could result after an antireflux operation in the less proficient speaker and, therefore, only those patients with persistent and unresponsive reflux esophagitis should be operated upon.
