TEP in the ER: After Hours Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis Management for the Otolaryngologist

Abstract

Background: Tracheoesophageal voice puncture and prosthesis (TEP) is a common method of voice restoration following total laryngectomy. A variety of complications, both minor and major, can be associated with the TEP and require timely intervention/management. Some of those complications include premature leakage, periprosthetic leakage, granulation tissue growth, TEP dislodgement, or embedding of the TEP. Patients may present with problems and/or complications with the voice prosthesis in an emergency setting or after clinic hours when a trained speech pathologist is not present or readily available for evaluation and management. This manuscript aims to provide guidance for management of acute TEP complications to otolaryngology responders, especially those who may be less familiar with TEP troubleshooting.

Methods: Experiential and literature review was undertaken by a group of head and neck specialized Speech Language Professionals in high volume Head & Neck Oncology practices, to develop consensus guidelines for emergency TEP management.

Results: TEP emergencies were categorized as (1) leakage through, (2) leakage around, (3) sudden loss of voicing, (4) loss of prosthesis, still in tract, (5) loss of prosthesis, not in tract. Management strategies for each form of emergency were developed to achieve patient safety and stability until definitive measures could be performed by the patient's Speech Language Professional.

Conclusions: The goals of emergency management of TEP problems focused on minimizing risk of aspiration pneumonia, risk of foreign body aspiration, risk of wound complications at the puncture site. A simple management algorithm was developed for emergency or on-call otolaryngology responders.

Keywords: aphonia; complications; laryngectomy; speech pathology; tracheoesophageal puncture.