[Surgical voice rehabilitation: permanence of tracheoesophageal fistula after total phonatory laryngectomy. Long-term follow-up].

A study of the 10-year follow-up of 152 patients who underwent total phonatory laryngectomy (TPL) for surgical alaryngeal voice rehabilitation by trachoesophageal puncture (TEP) and prosthesis insertion is reported. These patients belonged to a larger group of 270 patients who underwent TPL in our department in 1984-1995. Patients who had undergone surgery at least 24 months earlier were selected for the purpose of obtaining more reliable conclusions. TPL was a valid option for patients with primary or secondary laryngectomy. Tracheoesophageal voice conservation was achieved in 83.1% when technical surgical conditions and TEP follow-up improved, and dynamic tracheal and hypopharyngeal features were better understood.