Communicating by electrolarynx with a blind tetraplegic spinal cord injury patient on mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
METHODS
Single-subject case.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the atypical presentation of communication with a blind tetraplegic spinal cord injury patient on a respirator using an electrolarynx.


METHODS
Critical care center in Osaka, Japan.


METHODS
A 53-year-old blind man with tetraplegic spinal cord injury was admitted to our center. It was difficult for him to express his desires and to communicate with others about his severe condition and other details of his care. We began to use an electrolarynx to communicate with this patient because he could move his mouth.


RESULTS
With use of the electrolarynx, the patient gradually became better able to speak fluently by electrolarynx on the first day of use. The electrolarynx allowed us and his family to communicate with him. He was pleased with the improvement in communication.


CONCLUSIONS
An electrolarynx is a useful method for communicating with blind tetraplegic spinal cord injury patients on mechanical ventilation.
Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. shimiken@hp-emerg.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
K
K
Shimizu
H
H
Ogura
T
T
Irisawa
Y
Y
Nakagawa
Y
Y
Kuwagata
T
T
Shimazu
D001766:Blindness / Q000150:complications; D003142:Communication; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*