title: Primary tracheoesophageal shunt operation for postlaryngectomy speech with sphincter mechanism.
abstract: This paper describes a primary voice restoration technique designed to eliminate the problem of aspiration commonly encountered in rehabilitation procedures following laryngectomy. This technique, utilized in 16 patients, consists of a unique combination of tracheal flap for voice production and bilateral esophageal constrictor muscle flaps to prevent aspiration. Fourteen patients developed satisfactory tracheoesophageal speech; of them 12 had normal deglutition without problems of aspiration. On radiographic examination, the bilateral esophageal muscle flaps, in combination with the dilatation and elevation of the cervical esophagus, provide a sphincter mechanism that prevents tracheal reflux during deglutition.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal; D013072:Speech, Esophageal; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*