The pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter after laryngectomy. A manometric investigation

The function of the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter in patients subjected to total laryngectomy has been evaluated by manometric measurement, and the results related to the patient's ability to speak with an oesophageal voice, as well as to the occurrence of dysphagia. Seventeen totally laryngectomized patients were studied. The intelligibility of the patient's oesophageal voice was classified according to the scale: good (group IV), middle (group III), poor (group II) and unintelligible (group I). The manometric investigation was carried out with a continuously perfused low compliance system with three side holes, and the results of the patient investigation were compared with those from a normal material. It was possible in three patients only to demonstrate a resting tone corresponding to the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter. The pressure was lower in these patients than in the normal material. No correlation was found between any of the three parameters: sphincter pressure, intelligibility, and the presence of dysphagia.