Value of digital high-speed endoscopy in addition to videofluoroscopic imaging of the neoglottis in tracheoesophageal speech.

Objective: To gain insight into the clinical value of using the relatively new evaluation tool digital high-speed endoscopy in addition to the widely used method of videofluoroscopy for imaging of the neoglottis in tracheoesophageal speech after total laryngectomy.

Material And Methods: Anatomical and morphologic characteristics of the neoglottis in 37 laryngectomized patients using tracheoesophageal speech were studied by means of visual assessment of digital high-speed endoscopy recordings and visual assessment and quantitative measures of videofluoroscopy recordings, using previously published protocols.

Results: Digital high-speed endoscopy provides information complementary to that of videofluoroscopy with respect to the location of the vibration, presence of a mucosal wave, regularity of the vibration and closure of the neoglottis The information provided by digital high-speed endoscopy overlaps with that provided by videofluoroscopy with respect to the amount of saliva (regurgitation of barium in videofluoroscopy) and the visibility of the origin of the neoglottis (presence of a neoglottic bar in videofluoroscopy).

Evaluation of the effects of primary myotomy in total laryngectomy on the neoglottis with the use of quantitative videofluoroscopy.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of primary myotomy on characteristics of the neoglottis in patients after laryngectomy.

Design: Patient survey.

Setting: University Medical Center St Radboud, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.