RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: From December 1987 to February 1998, 270 patients underwent a total laryngectomy with voice restoration by a voice prosthesis. The analysis is focused on the 62 live patients with a 5 year follow-up. Tracheoesophageal speech had a success rate of 81% after 1 year and 73% after 5 years. The daily use of the voice prosthesis is only 68% after 1 year and 61% after 5 years. During the 5 year follow up (for all patients) 16 (26%) presented an enlarged fistula with leakage around the fistula and 17 (27%) needed a removal of the prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Tracheoesophageal speech with a voice prosthesis appears interesting for laryngectomized patients with: a high success rate, the quality and precocity of the voice obtained. However, it requires extensive care and the results deteriorate with time.