Using a tracheal stent for conservative management of speaking valve-associated tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Abstract

Surgical voice rehabilitation is an essential dimension of treatment following total laryngectomy. The gold standard is tracheo-oesophageal puncture and speaking valve placement. Whilst offering excellent phonation in many patients, there is a well-documented risk of valve associated fistula formation, the incidence of which varies from 1 to 21% 1. Risk factors for delayed valve associated tracheo-oesophageal fistula include post chemo-radiotherapy (salvage laryngectomy), oesophageal stricture, persistent fungal infection and poor patient compliance in managing their speaking valve2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.