[The evaluation of voice quality after near-total laryngectomy]

It was intended to compare various characteristics of phonation obtained in cases who underwent near-total laryngectomy (NTL) and frontolateral laryngectomy (FLL).

The study included 29 male cases, 9 of whom underwent NTL, 10 of whom underwent FLL and 10 who had normal laryngeal speech. All cases were evaluated and compared statistically according to the fundamental frequency (Fo), intensity and voiceless time measurements, maximal phonation time (MPT), speech rate and speech intelligibility.

Fo and Fo range were found significantly high in both patient groups, but MPT and speech rate was meaningfully decreased in these groups relative to the control group. There were not any significant differences between the two patient groups. The speech intelligibilities of the NTL group patients were significantly low relative to other two groups. The voiceless time measurements during phonation were significantly high in two patients groups, but we also found that it was not effective on speech rate and intelligibility.

The phonation gained after NTL is similar to that of FLL in respect of various features. But owing to differences of the speech intelligibility measurements, we concluded that patients who underwent NTL could be exposed to more problems during communication with their social surroundings.