The role of the different neoglottis forms in the development of esophageal voice.

UNLABELLED: Evaluation of voice quality parameters of esophageal speech in different neoglottis forms after total laryngectomy.

METHODS

Presentation of voice analysis of 20 patients, who underwent total laryngectomy. The success of acquiring this technique was estimated by means of a voice analyzing program (pitch, sound-holding, loudness, spectrogram),and by the intelligibility via the telephone. Shape of the different types of neoglottis that developed and its functioning during vocalization and continuous speech were observed by nasal endoscopy. Data obtained from the voice analysis were compared among the observed three different neoglottis forms.

RESULTS

The average dysphonia index of the 20 patients was 1.67 ± 0.38 (mean ± SD). Nasal fiberoscopic examination revealed three different types of neoglottis forms – a small mucosal button, two mucosal battens, and a mucosal lip. Voice quality of the esophageal speech of the patients with the mucosal button was found to be the closest to normal by subjective and objective acoustical evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the importance of the proper wound closure technique which can facilitate the development of a special button shape neoglottis form and help to acquire esophageal speech with the best quality parameters shortly after total laryngectomy.