title: Videoradiography of free jejunal grafts for rehabilitation of speech in laryngectomized patients.
abstract: In laryngectomized patients a tracheo-esophageal artificial fistula can be used to achieve air flow from the trachea to the esophagus during speech. A one-way plastic valve is often used for the fistula. A free jejunal graft between the trachea and the esophagus can also be used. To avoid aspiration the transplant is attached to the submental area giving the graft a siphon-like shape. We performed 23 videoradiographic examinations using high-density barium in 14 such patients. The aim was to evaluate the protective function of these grafts against aspiration. Penetration of the bolus and a small amount of residual contrast material in the ascending limb of the graft was a normal finding. If the standard barium bolus reached the descending limb at any time during the examination, this was a sign of aspiration hazard. To avoid aspiration, the vertex of the speech siphon should be higher than the level of the hypopharyngeal anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pokieser
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Grasl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uranitsch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piza-Katzer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niederle
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ehrenberger
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekberg
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tscholakoff
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002933:Cineradiography; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001239:Inhalation; D007583:Jejunum / Q000637:transplantation*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014743:Videotape Recording
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate