Voice Rehabilitation After Laryngeal Transplantation: Own Experience

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSELaryngeal transplantation (LT) remains an infrequently performed procedure due to well-defined and limited medical indications. The challenges include a very complicated surgery, continuous immunosuppressive treatment, as well as post-transplant rehabilitation of voice, speech and swallowing. The aim of this paper is to describe a model of voice and speech rehabilitation after LT, based on our own experience. STUDY DESIGNObservational study. METHODPresented here are the rehabilitation processes of two patients who had previously undergone LT as well as their pre- and post-rehabilitation voice outcomes. Both patients underwent voice, speech and swallowing rehabilitation in the fifth month after LT. RESULTSOne of the patients had a significant improvement in voice quality. While, the other did not regain his natural, sonorous voice, but he scored very high on a voice self-assessment test. CONCLUSIONVoice rehabilitation after LT is a complex and long-term process that requires the involvement of a team of specialists. The optimal anatomical conditions restored during surgery, the patient's motivation and the support of professionals make it possible to return to normal verbal communication.