[The use of indwelling phonatory valve in the rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients: preliminary results in 30 patients]. / Impiego della valvola fonatoria fissa nella riabilitazione del paziente laringectomizzato: risultati preliminari in 30 pazienti.

ABSTRACT

The creation of a tracheo-esophageal fistula, and subsequent positioning of a voice button, has greatly improved the patients' ability to communicate and is the treatment of choice for many. The literature indicates that the success rate for this technique is in the 56-90% range. The present study presents the preliminary results obtained in a group of 30 laryngectomy patients for whom a Provox or Blom-Singer-Indwelling voice button were inserted at a later date. Of these 21 (70%) had undergone pre- or post-operative radiotherapy. On the average insertion of the voice button took place 36 months after the laryngectomy while it was approximately 40 months after radiotherapy. Patient selection was based on widely accepted criteria. In particular, the following factors were take into consideration patient motivation, positive Taub test, dynamic features of the esophageal wall, video fluoroscopy evaluation. For the Provox voice button the patient was hospitalized for 24 hours while with the Blom-Singer-Indwelling device it was 72 hours. In addition, with the latter device, oral feeding was restored somewhat later although this depends on the difference in positioning. The results of the present study are in line with those presented by other authors. In particular, the immediate success rate was 83% while the long-term success rate reached 96%.