Diagnoses and surgical methods for failures of achieving tracheoesophageal speech after total laryngectomy

Abstract

Tracheoesophageal speech is the most fluent voice rehabilitation with long maximum phonation time for laryngectomized patients. Some patients, however, cannot achieve optimal outcomes. We report one case who was diagnosed with hypertonicity of the cricopharyngeal muscle preventing the development of tracheoesophageal speech and who was treated by surgical methods. Head and neck surgeons have an important role to play in enabling alaryngeal persons to regain optimal oral communications.