Long-term results of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration after total laryngectomy

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of tracheoesophageal puncture for Blom-Singer voice restoration after total laryngectomy and summarize our clinical experience of fifteen years.

Methods: From 1986 to 2001, one hundred and thirty four cases with Blom-Singer technique after total laryngectomy for voice restoration were analyzed retrospectively. MDVP of Kay Elemetrics was used to analyze the acoustic parameters of eighteen cases with Blom-Singer indwelling voice prosthesis for 2-14 years.

Results: For all cases, the follow-up was two to fifteen years. From 1986 to 1989, seven of twelve cases were satisfied with their speech, the success rate was 58.3%. After the year of 1990, the success rate was 93.4% (114/122). The total success rate was 90.3% (121/134). The acoustic parameters of Blom-Singer indwelling voice prosthesis was far away from normal. The common complications included fistula granulations, infection, leakage.

Conclusions: The procedure of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration is relatively simple and has low complications, high phonation success, good phonation quality, and steady long-term results, which is the best way to make laryngectomeel to speak. Pharyngoesophageal sphincter myotomy can raise the success rate of voice restoration by Blom-Singer indwelling voice prosthesis.