[Voice rehabilitation following larynx extirpation using the Groningen button]

The long term results of implantation of the 'Groningen button' after total laryngectomy were determined retrospectively in the ENT Department of the University Hospital Groningen, after follow-up periods of 6 months to 5 years. The study group consisted of 86 patients who received a Groningen button between 1981 and 1985, 79 men and 7 women with an average age of 60.5 years at the time of the total laryngectomy. The Groningen button is a silicon valve, which is introduced into a tracheo-oesophageal shunt, thus preventing aspiration of oesophageal contents and keeping the shunt open. The valve can be placed primarily during the laryngectomy or secondarily after the laryngectomy. The results of the voice restoration with the Groningen button were better than the results achieved with the injection oesophageal speech only. The results of a primarily constructed shunt with placement of the button were better than those of a button placed secondarily more than one year after the laryngectomy. The average lifetime of a button was about 3 months. The buttons of one-third of all patients were removed permanently after some time. In our study the complications were few. In our opinion a Groningen button can be placed during a laryngectomy to achieve a better voice restoration.