Rehabilitation after laryngectomy with a hypopharyngeal voice prosthesis.

The northwestern laryngeal voice prosthesis contains no vibrator, but produces good voice by means of a properly placed pharyngostomy. The quality of voice production is such that patients have been able to resume former occupations, i.e., teaching and coaching football. The significant difference and advantage of this prosthesis when compared with similar ones to the fistula location. The location in the hypopharynx is in a surgically safe area distant from major vessels. It can be placed at the time of original surgery and is also workable in patients who have had radiation and extensive radical surgery with total reconstruction of their gullet. The prosthesis can be used by primary total laryngectomees while learning esophageal speech or installed in those who are unable to use the electronic larynx or esophageal speech.