Functional Voice and Speech Outcomes Following Surgical Voice Restorations: A Comparison of Pharyngeal Construction Approaches

Functional Voice and Speech Outcomes Following Surgical Voice Restorations: A Comparison of Pharyngeal Reconstruction Approaches

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nature and quality of speech after removal of the voice box and all or part of the swallowing tube.

The study is evaluating which type of surgery provides patients with the best speech and voice.

These data will be used to help surgeons to design better ways to restore voice function after removal of the voice box. Information about disease, its treatment, quality of life, and physical and vocal function will be collected. An audio recording of vocal tasks will also be done. All of this information will be analyzed and the two different subject groups will be compared to see if there are differences.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who have undergone removal of the larynx and the entire pharynx by either traditional reconstruction or more advanced reconstructive techniques, which involve the use of tissue, such as skin or bowel, from other parts of the body. There is no time frame for reconstruction. All subjects who have previously undergone reconstruction are eligible.
• Subjects who use the tracheoesophageal puncture method of voice restoration as their primary communication technique.
• > or equal to 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Do not have functional voice restoration.
• Do not speak English as a functional language.