Is electroglottography-based videostroboscopic assessment of post-laryngectomy prosthetic speech useful?
OBJECTIVE
To use an electroglottography (EGG)-based videostroboscopy tool to assess the anatomical and morphologic characteristics of the pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment in tracheoesophageal (TO) speakers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort study.


METHODS
Fifty-two post-laryngectomy patients with no recurrence and using prosthetic (Blom-Singer) speech.


METHODS
An electroglottography (EGG)-based videostroboscopy tool EGG-based rigid videostroboscopy as well as perceptual evaluation.


METHODS
Stroboscopic protocol included nine subjective/visual parameters to evaluate the neoglottis and study correlation of the G (GRBAS scale) and the overall voice quality (OVQ) with the treatment variables.


RESULTS
Of the 52 laryngectomees, videostroboscopic recordings were possible in 46 patients (36 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 63.4 +/-10.5 (SD) an electroglottography (EGG)-based videostroboscopy tool years. All used the Blom-Singer valve and the median time since Total Laryngectomy was 2 years. The neoglottis was assessable in 26 patients. We were able to strobe only 9 patients. There was excellent correlation between G and OVQ (Spearman rho > 0.9). Statistically significant correlation was found between G1 and saliva (P = 0.03) and between good OVQ and saliva (P = 0.02); similarly, there was significant correlation between G1 and LVV (P = 0.05) and between good OVQ and LVV (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to examine the use of an EGG-based stroboscopy instrument to evaluate TO speech. Our observations suggest that from the standpoint of functional voice, saliva and the LVV had statistically significant effect in determining voice quality.
Kazi
Rehan A
RA
ENT and Head-Neck Surgery, Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India.
Singh
Arvind
A
Venkitaraman
Ramachandran
R
Sayed
Suhail I
SI
Rhys-Evans
P
P
Harrington
Kevin J
KJ
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004566:Electrodes; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal