Fascia lata graft closure of an enlarged tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) after laryngectomy/laryngopharyngectomy.

ABSTRACT

Enlargement of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is seen in 1-29% of laryngectomee/laryngopharyngectomee using tracheoesophageal voice. It predisposes patient for recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Surgical closure of TEP is required in 30-67% of patients not responding to conservative measures. Surgical closure of an enlarged TEP using a flap may be time consuming, complex, and logistically challenging to organize. A novel technique of Fascia lata graft closure of an enlarged TEP is presented here. This technique can be useful in carefully selected patients with an enlarged TEP.