Practice of laryngectomy rehabilitation interventions

Abstract

The rehabilitation of laryngectomy patients in developing countries can be more demanding and can cost more compared with developed countries. In such scenarios, some strategies can be employed by the multidisciplinary team, mainly by the surgical and speech-pathology teams, aiming to decrease the costs involved in the rehabilitation of total laryngectomy patients in developing countries.

Head and neck surgical subspecialty training in Africa: Sustainable models to improve cancer care in developing countries

“…Heat moisture exchange devices are used in developed world centers to humidify and warm inspired air, however, a homemade cloth stoma cover/bib is as effective at a fraction of the cost . Although esophageal speech does not cost anything, only 27% of patients in a Brazilian study mastered esophageal speech and, because there is a severe shortage of speech therapists in many developing countries, an electrolarynx is a reasonable alternative to achieve postlaryngectomy speech.…”

Interdisciplinary interventions in the perioperative rehabilitation of total laryngectomy: an integrative review

“…Studies related to the perioperative rehabilitation of total laryngectomies emphasize vocal, olfactory, pulmonary and alimentary restoration, as well as resources with technology to promote better adaptability to daily functional activities, social integration and autonomy for quality of life. To do this, these approaches rely on speech-language pathology, which depends on the conditions of each country, and can result in the addition of other professionals to the team 3 , 5 , 28 - 34 .…”

“…A study comparing healthy people to people who underwent vocal rehabilitation with a prosthesis or esophageal speech identified a statistically significant difference in quality of life after their analysis of social function 11 . This study proposes that the tracheoesophageal prosthesis can be considered a gold standard for speech rehabilitation 11 , 16 , 34 , 39 . In addition, this study regards the esophageal voice as the second treatment option 11 .…”

Alternative technique in secondary tracheoesophageal puncture using flexible endoscope and overtube in patients with difficult post-laryngectomy abnormalities

“…The gold standard voice rehabilitation technique for restoration of oral communication after total laryngectomy is the placement of a valve voice prosthesis (VP) for tracheoesophageal voice [1,2]. The tracheoesophageal fistula can be made either primarily (early during the total laryngectomy) and secondary (late).…”