title: [Satisfaction of patients with tracheostomal epithesis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The utilization of craniofacial prosthesis has proven to be very successful for craniofacial defects. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the value of an epithesis for voice rehabilitation in patients with tracheostomy. The aim of this study was to describe application of the tracheostomy epithesis and to present a systematic analysis of the functional results of this prosthetic technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective analysis included 48 patients on follow-up being treated in three different centers after laryngectomy and/or tracheostomy between 2008 and 2014. Subjects were given a questionnaire with items such as speech quality, quality of life, free hand speech ability, respiratory quality and sufficient tracheostomal sealing comparing values before and after application of an individually custom-made tracheostomy epithesis. Twenty-eight answered the questionnaire and could be reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight of 48 patients were consistently being included in follow-up. The statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement of tracheostoma occlusion (p < 0.05) and improvement in free hand speech ability (p < 0.05). A leakage of air during voice production could be prevented in 59.3% after application of an epithesis. Quality of life correlated directly with successful utilization of an epithesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the literature, different industrialized products are described to realize occlusion of the tracheostoma for sufficient speech production without using the hands. In numerous cases commercial solutions fail and the patients need individual modifications. Our study first describes the evaluation of custom-made tracheostomal epithesis. From our observed results we advocate the individual tracheostomal epithesis as a durable solution for voice rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 6, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland. victoria.bozzato@uks.eu.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bozzato
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, plastische Operationen, CaritasKlinikum Saarbrücken, Saarbrücken, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bumm
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 6, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.affiliation: Epitheseninstitute Schneider, Amerikastraße 32, Zweibrücken, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum Mutterhaus der Borromäerinnen, Trier, Deutschland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schwerdtfeger
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenkrankheiten - Plastische Operationen, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sittel
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 6, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schick
mesh_terms: D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014833:Voice Quality
keywords: Free hand speech; Laryngectomy; Quality of life; Tracheostomal prosthesis; Voice rehabilitation