Phonation Fistulas Today

Objective To analyze our experience with the use of voice prostheses (VP) following total laryngectomy. Material and method Retrospective study of 96 patients in whom a VP was placed by means of tracheoesophageal puncture between October 2000 and December 2005. Results Eighty-six (89.6%) primary and 10 (10.4%) secondary punctures were performed; 84.4% (81/96) were Provox ® prostheses and 74% of the patients used them as their usual means of communication. Causes for removal were: failure and aspiration, 66% (14/21); non-use, 23.8% (2/21), and granulations and inflammation, 4.8% (1/21). Conclusions The use of VP by means of tracheoesophageal puncture was useful in 74% of our patients, with an acceptable rate of complications and phonatory results superior to those obtained with oesophageal speech; we therefore recommend their use in patients who are candidates on the basis of motivation and physical and oncological assessment.