High-speed digital imaging of neoglottic vibration after total laryngectomy.

Abstract

To establish the applicability of digital high-speed imaging in studying neoglottic mucosal vibration after total laryngectomy and to perform a structured evaluation of the recordings using a standardized assessment form to gain insight about the anatomical and morphologic characteristics of the neoglottis. Evaluation of a new clinical tool and description of clinical disorders in a patient survey. The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. Forty-six patients who underwent laryngectomy, 36 who underwent standard total laryngectomy and 10 who underwent a partial or total pharynx reconstruction (ie, myocutaneous pectoralis major flap [n = 4], free radial forearm flap [n = 2], tubed gastric pull-up [n = 3], and full gastric pull-up [n = 1]). Digital high-speed imaging, using a 90 degrees rigid laryngoscope, of the neoglottic vibration in prosthetic tracheoesophageal speakers after total laryngectomy. Digital high-speed imaging might overcome some of the problems of stroboscopy in studying irregular voices and could, therefore, be expected to give more insight into the anatomical and morphologic characteristics of the neoglottis. Digital high-speed recordings could be obtained in 44 of 46 patients. Using a structured evaluation form, a wide variability in anatomical and morphologic features could be established. Digital high-speed imaging appeared to be a useful tool in studying the irregular vibrations of the neoglottis. Evaluation by the structured evaluation form gives a good idea about the wide variability in anatomical and morphologic features of the neoglottis.