A technique for improving esophageal and tracheopharyngeal speech.

Abstract

Phonation in both excellent and poor esophageal and tracheopharyngeal speakers was studied radiographically and was recorded to evaluate volume and pitch. Sphincteric function usually occurred at the inferior constrictor level in those speakers with satisfactory phonation; a lack of sphincteric function was noted as cause for poor esophageal and tracheopharyngeal speech. An operative procedure, the sternomastoid muscle swing operation, is introduced as a method of providing the laryngectomee with an additional mechanism for improving both the volume and the pitch of esophageal and tracheopharyngeal speech. In addition, the presence of the muscle above the mucosal tube and anterior to the reconstructed hypopharynx adds support and blood supply. The presence of the muscle bulk anterior to the reconstructed pharynx definitely reduces the incidence of salivary leakage through the mucosal tube.