Evaluation of Direct and Indirect Methods of Sub-Neoglottic Pressure Measurement in Tracheoesophageal Speakers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: Tracheoesophageal (TE) prosthetic voice is one of the voice restoration options for individuals who have undergone a total laryngectomy. Aerodynamic analysis of the TE voice provides insight into the physiological changes that occur at the level of the neoglottis with voice prosthesis in situ. The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of sub-neoglottic pressure (SNP) measurement in TE speakers by direct and indirect methods. Patients and Methods: The screening of abstracts and titles was carried out for inclusion of articles using 10 electronic databases spanning the period from 1979 to 2016. Ten articles which met the inclusion criteria were considered for meta-analysis with a pooled age range of 40–83 years. Results: The pooled mean SNP obtained from the direct measurement method was 53.80 cm H₂O with a 95% confidence interval of 21.14–86.46 cm H₂O, while for the indirect measurement method, the mean SNP was 23.55 cm H₂O with a 95% confidence interval of 19.23–27.87 cm H₂O. Conclusion: Based on the literature review, the various procedures followed for direct and indirect measurements of SNP contributed to a range of differences in outcome measures. The meta-analysis revealed that the “interpolation method” for indirect estimation of SNP was the most acceptable and valid method in TE speakers.