Vocal rehabilitation of tracheoesophageal speech failures

Twenty-three tracheoesophageal speech failures were prospectively evaluated by clinical parameters and transnasal air insufflation at 3 L per minute. The results of testing allow an accurate indication of the etiology of the speech failure. Pharyngoesophageal spasm accounted for 79% of the failures; hypopharyngeal strictures for 26%. One patient was found to have both pharyngoesophageal spasm and a hypopharyngeal stricture. A modified air insufflation test result greater than 20 mm Hg reliably identified all tracheoesophageal speech failures prior to tracheoesophageal puncture. Clinical parameters were not helpful in identifying speech failures. Successful treatment of the specific etiology of the failure resulted in a reduction of the measured intraesophageal pressures. Ninety-one percent of the tracheoesophageal speech failures were successfully rehabilitated and achieved fluent tracheoesophageal speech. Successful rehabilitation was associated with long-term tracheoesophageal speech use.