Creation of the phonatory neoglottis. Preliminary experience with ten cases.

Voice rehabilitation in the laryngectomy patient has been a major goal of reconstructive laryngeal surgery. A series of ten patients underwent laryngectomy and creation of a phonatory neoglottis as outlined by Staffieri. Speech and swallowing were evaluated postoperatively. Functional speech was achieved in 9 out of 10 patients. Swallowing difficulties did not present a serious problem. Voice production utilizing the neoglottic technique was found to be superior to esophageal speech. From this preliminary series, the phonatory shunt operation of Staffieri appears to offer much potential and deserves further study.