Postlaryngectomy prosthetic voice rehabilitation outcomes in a consecutive cohort of 232 patients over a 13-year period.

Background: With the increasing necessity for total laryngectomy (TL) after prior (chemo)radiotherapy, prosthetic vocal rehabilitation outcomes might have changed.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including all patients laryngectomized between 2000 and 2012 with a voice prosthesis (VP) in the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

Results: Median device lifetimes of the standard Provox2 and Vega VPs are 63 and 66 days, respectively, and for the problem-solving ActiValve Light and Strong VPs 143 and 186 days, respectively.

Comparative Study Between Peristomal Patches in Patients with Definitive Tracheostomy.

 To prevent or diminish pulmonary problems in laryngectomized patients, continuous use of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) is recommended. Therefore, automatic speaking valves are also often combined with an HME to enable hands-free speech. In order to keep these devices in place, most commonly, peristomal patches are used.

Predictive factors for pharyngocutaneous fistulization after total laryngectomy: a Dutch Head and Neck Society audit.

Background: Incidences of pharyngocutaneous fistulization (PCF) after total laryngectomy (TL) reported in the literature vary widely, ranging from 2.6 to 65.5%.

Ex vivo humidifying capacity and patient acceptability of stoma cloths in laryngectomized individuals.

Background: Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) improve respiratory function after laryngectomy, but there is virtually no information on the benefit of traditional stoma cloths or other covers.

Methods: Two sequential studies were performed: (1) an ex vivo test was used to compare the humidifying capacity of stoma cloths to other coverings; and (2) a 4-week randomized trial was then performed to assess patient acceptability of cloths both alone and with an HME (N = 18).

Results: The humidifying capacity of the coverings tested varied widely.

Low-level laser therapy/photobiomodulation in the management of side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: part 2: proposed applications and treatment protocols.

Purpose: There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), more recently termed photobiomodulation (PBM) for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Recent advances in PBM technology, together with a better understanding of mechanisms involved and dosimetric parameters may lead to the management of a broader range of complications associated with HNC treatment. This could enhance patient adherence to cancer therapy, and improve quality of life and treatment outcomes.

Low level laser therapy/photobiomodulation in the management of side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: part 1: mechanisms of action, dosimetric, and safety considerations.

Purpose: There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT), more recently termed photobiomodulation (PBM), for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Recent advances in PBM technology, together with a better understanding of mechanisms involved, may expand the applications for PBM in the management of other complications associated with HNC treatment. This article (part 1) describes PBM mechanisms of action, dosimetry, and safety aspects and, in doing so, provides a basis for a companion paper (part 2) which describes the potential breadth of potential applications of PBM in the management of side-effects of (chemo)radiation therapy in patients being treated for HNC and proposes PBM parameters.

Predictive factors for pharyngocutaneous fistulization after total laryngectomy.

Objectives: Postoperative complications, especially pharyngocutaneous fistulization (PCF), are more frequent after total laryngectomy (TL) performed for salvage after (chemo)radiotherapy than after primary TL. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of PCF, predictive factors for PCF, and the relationship of PCF to survival.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 217 consecutive patients treated with TL between 2000 and 2010.

Early oral intake after total laryngectomy does not increase pharyngocutaneous fistulization.

Timing of oral intake after total laryngectomy (TLE) is mostly delayed until postoperative day 10-12, under the assumption that this limits the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistulization (PCF). However, early oral intake could be advantageous and could reduce costs, providing that it does not lead to increased PCF. Comparison of PCF incidence in traditional 'late' oral intake protocol (start at postoperative day 10-12; LOI) and in early oral intake protocol (start at postoperative day 2-4; EOI).