[Post-laryngectomy vocal rehabilitation with a tracheophypopharyngeal shunt (author's transl)].

Oesophageal speech is the accepted method of post-laryngectomy speech rehabilitation, but still has a high failure rate. Among the different surgical procedures that create a tracheo-oesophageal fistula the method of Komorn based on a concept of Conley appears to have the greatest theoretical advantages. In this procedure a fistula is created with its inferior opening into the oesophagus and its superior opening into the trachea. Komorn's technique has been utilized in a modified form in 12 patients and in 6, because of wound problems, useful speech was not achieved. Five patients have achieved excellent speech without difficulty.