Quality of life before and after total laryngectomy: results of a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine what quality of life (QOL) areas improve and deteriorate during the first year after total laryngectomy and to identify predictors of these changes.

Methods: One hundred seventy-four patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL questionnaires before laryngectomy, n = 133 before discharge from hospital, n = 110 at the end of rehabilitation, and n = 86 1 year after laryngectomy. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of potential predictors on QOL.

Speech rehabilitation during the first year after total laryngectomy.

Background: Gaining a new voice is one of the major aims after total laryngectomy. The objective of this study was to describe the process and results of speech rehabilitation during the first year after surgery.

Methods: Speech intelligibility was measured 6 months (n = 273) and 1 year (n = 225) after total laryngectomy.

Motivation as a predictor of speech intelligibility after total laryngectomy.

Background: It has often been argued that if patients' success with speech rehabilitation after laryngectomy is limited, it is the result of lacking motivation on their part. This project investigated the role of motivation in speech rehabilitation.

Methods: In a multicenter prospective cohort study, 141 laryngectomees were interviewed at the beginning of rehabilitation and 1 year after laryngectomy.