Voice restoration following total laryngectomy by tracheoesophageal prosthesis: effect on patients' quality of life and voice handicap in Jordan.
BACKGROUND
Little has been reported about the impact of tracheoesophageal (TE) speech on individuals in the Middle East where the procedure has been gaining in popularity. After total laryngectomy, individuals in Europe and North America have rated their quality of life as being lower than non-laryngectomized individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in quality of life and degree of voice handicap reported by laryngectomized speakers from Jordan before and after establishment of TE speech.


METHODS
Twelve male Jordanian laryngectomees completed the University of Michigan Head & Neck Quality of Life instrument and the Voice Handicap Index pre- and post-TE puncture.


RESULTS
All subjects showed significant improvements in their quality of life following successful prosthetic voice restoration. In addition, voice handicap scores were significantly reduced from pre- to post-TE puncture.


CONCLUSIONS
Tracheoesophageal speech significantly improved the quality of life and limited the voice handicap imposed by total laryngectomy. This method of voice restoration has been used for a number of years in other countries and now appears to be a viable alternative within Jordan.
Attieh
Abdelrahim Y
AY
Speech Rehabilitation Department, Royal Rehabilitation Center, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan. abdelrahimattieh@yahoo.com
Searl
Jeff
J
Shahaltough
Nada H
NH
Wreikat
Mahmoud M
MM
Lundy
Donna S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011788:Quality of Life; D014831:Voice; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014833:Voice Quality