Vocal rehabilitation after partial or total laryngectomy.

One of the paramount concerns of a patient who must undergo surgical intervention for laryngeal cancer is the effect on his speech. The type of operation is based on the anatomic extent of the cancer, but each procedure presents inherent problems in vocal rehabilitation. Glottic incompetence is the primary deficit to be overcome following hemilaryngectomy, whereas the aspirate voice is the principal problem with supraglottic laryngectomy. When the larynx must be sacrificed by total laryngectomy, the patient attempts to learn esophageal speech. If this fails, a vibrating sound source for speech can be acquired, either by the construction of a trachealpharyngeal communication or by use of a manual electric vibrator.