Indications for tracheoesophageal puncture speech rehabilitation

Many methods of speech rehabilitation after total laryngectomy have been attempted and abandoned. As experience increased with the tracheoesophageal puncture technique, we found it to be a reliable and reproducible form of speech rehabilitation when certain criteria are met. This study reviews our experience and analyzes the reasons for failure in those populations. Factors analyzed include the evidence of hypopharyngeal stenosis, patient education, XRF, and the flanged prosthesis versus the nonflanged prosthesis. The indications for this type of speech rehabilitation procedure are presented based on our findings.