[Changes in the life of laryngectomees - an empirical study (author's transl)]

The study tries to answer the question which changes are experienced by laryngectomised persons in the various spheres of their life, and how these are coped with. Twenty former patients of Insel Hospital of Bern, switzerland, who had undergone laryngectomy between 12 months and 27 years ago, were covered (questionnaire, personal interview). The results revealed that many of the changes found - nearly without exception limitations in former activities and restrictions of social contacts - do by no means constitute inevitable repercussions of the postoperative condition. As a consequence of the findings of the study, perspectives are outlined aimed at avoiding this deterioration in the quality of life.