Prosthetic voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy

Abstract

Loss of voice is a major concern after total laryngectomy. Tracheo-esophageal prosthesis was described in 1980 by Blom and Singer as a method of postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation. Since then it has seen many phases of developments. Now it has evolved into highly effective method with success rates more than 90% and better quality of voice than other modalities. It also gives good quality of life and voice related quality of life. Though it is associated with some complications, they are easy to manage. All these have made tracheo-esophageal prosthesis the 'Gold Standard' of post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. © 2010 Indian Association of Surgical Oncology.