Primary tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration

A 93 percent success rate of voice restoration after primary tracheoesophageal puncture was achieved in 15 patients. Patients were usually able to talk within 3 weeks after laryngectomy. Male patients without chronic obstructive lung disease achieved better results. The incidence of complication after this procedure were not significantly different from a group of 111 patients who underwent laryngectomy alone. Finally, early speech acquisition provides a substantial psychologic boost for the patient undergoing total laryngectomy.