Total laryngectomy with tracheoesophageal conduit.
Tracheoesophageal puncture has made high-quality voice restoration readily available to most individuals who must undergo TL. Although none of these patients would voluntarily choose to undergo TL if not faced with a life-threatening condition, at least some achieve a better quality of life, including better vocal function, after treatment and rehabilitation. The methods involved in placement and maintenance of a tracheoesophageal prosthesis are straightforward and permit successful, long-term voice restoration for most patients. Although far from perfect, TL with TEP affords both quality and quantity of life to a group of individuals who currently have no alternative but to undergo debilitating surgery in an effort to extend their lives.
Koch
Wayne M
WM
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. wkoch@jhmi.edu
D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000379:methods; D013072:Speech, Esophageal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery