[Phoniatric aspects of reconstructive laryngectomy].

Reconstructive laryngectomy has been performed at the E.N.T. Clinic in Ferrara for some time. After surgery the patients undergo speech therapy and phoniatric treatment for a period of time varying from 2 to 6 months. In order to better evaluate the vocal quality obtained after such reeducation the vocal emissions of 25 patients were examined and recorded. The recorded material, made up of prolonged vowels and 6 phonetically balanced sentences, was then evaluated by a panel of 7 "trained" listeners. The evaluation score-card proposed by Woiers in 1977 was used in taking the data. This not only provides a scale for evaluating the main voice quality features, but also includes a final judgement on parameters including intelligibility, acceptability and pleasantness. Statistical processing of the data inherent to voice quality indicated a decrease in intensity and pitch when compared to normal values. Nonetheless, the listening test showed a high degree of intelligibility, acceptability and pleasantness. These values confirm the fact that, although the new voice achieved through reconstructive laryngectomy surgery is less sonorous, it allows for perfectly understandable, socially acceptable speech.