Primary tracheoesophageal puncture with pharyngoesophageal myotomy

Abstract

Tracheoesophageal shunt (TES) has been the most successful rehabilitation procedure to obtain a lung-powered voice in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Voice quality and functional results with TES speech are superior to either external vibrator or traditional esophageal speech. Improvement in the prosthetic one-way shunt valve to prevent aspiration and shunt closure, as well as tracheostoma valves, have revived this method of voice rehabilitation. This article describes the technique for primary TES puncture using the Herrmann procedure.