Speech rehabilitation outcome after Blom-Singer tracheoesophageal puncture

This study evaluated speech rehabilitation outcome and length of training needed for laryngectomized patients who underwent the Blom-Singer tracheoesophageal (TE) puncture procedure. Preoperative patient selection criteria included: 1) acceptable stoma size, 2) adequate motivation and manual dexterity, 3) absence of constrictor spasm. Training focused on coordination of breath control, articulation, muscle relaxation, and proper handling and maintenance of the "duckbill" prosthesis. Speech intelligibility in 12 patients was evaluated following the completion of their speech rehabilitation program, using the CID Everyday Sentences. Each patient was videotaped; the tape then was presented to unbiased listeners who recorded the sentences. The median percentage of intelligibility for the 12 patients was 89.5%; only one patient had a median score less than 60%. The mean length of formal training for the group was only 3.2 hours (range 1 to 7 hours). The percentage of patients attaining speech and the quality of their speech intelligibility was found to be higher than with esophageal speech, which is both time consuming and often difficult to learn. TE puncture followed by proper fitting and training in voice prosthesis usage improves speech rehabilitation outcome for the laryngectomized patient.