The effects of radiation on tracheoesophageal puncture. A retrospective study

A census survey of the records of the Department of Otolaryngology. The Ohio State University, Columbus, identified 108 patients with tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) for voice restoration. Fifty-one patients received radiation therapy in the management of the disease, 50 did not, and seven were unavailable for follow-up. The records were reviewed and chi 2 tests applied to identify possible effects of radiation therapy on the achievement of TE speech and on TEP-related complications. Results of a census indicate that, with the exception of radiotherapy, the two groups of patients were highly similar with respect to ultimate achievement of TE speech and to the frequency with which complications occurred, eg, stoma stenosis or leakage via TE fistula. These findings support the incorporation of TEP with the total laryngectomy procedure, even for patients for whom radiation therapy is indicated.