Postlaryngectomy vocal rehabilitation: assessment using a validated questionnaire in 51 patients

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess valved speech and related issues in total laryngectomy patients with the help of the validated Voice Prosthesis Questionnaire (VPQ).

Patients and methods: We identified 61 patients who had undergone a surgical voice restoration with a valve following total laryngectomy and who were sent the VPQ by mail.

Results: Fifty-one patients (37 males) completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 83.6%. Fifty-three percent of the patients (n = 27) were fully aware of the dimensions of their valve including the length and diameter, whilst 25% (n = 13) were aware of only one of the two. There was a strong correlation between the patient's perception of tone and their gender with the tone scores significantly lower in women as compared to men (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.04). Ten patients (19.6%) had had leakage-related issues during the previous 7 days.

Conclusions: This questionnaire provided a significant amount of valuable data. Based on our experience, we recommend the VPQ for prospective use in the serial monitoring and audit of total laryngectomy patients.