Voice evaluation of myomucosal shunt after total laryngectomy: comparison with esophageal speech

The vocal quality attained with a tracheoesophageal myomucosal shunt (MMS) as described by Strome was evaluated in four patients and compared with three esophageal speakers and two normal subjects. The patients with MMSs acquired speech sooner. Fundamental frequency, pitch, timbre, and melody were analyzed with computerized electroglottography and sonography. Intelligibility was deemed better after the MMS primarily because phonation time approximated that of normal speech, and this study suggests that, following total laryngectomy, the vocal quality achieved using the MMS is preferrable to that of esophageal speech.