- Related Topics:
- surgery
- larynx
- electric larynx
laryngectomy
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What is a laryngectomy?
A laryngectomy is a surgical procedure involving the partial or total removal of the larynx (voice box), often employed when chemotherapy fails to treat laryngeal cancer, or in cases of trauma such as gunshot wounds or severe fractures.
A total laryngectomy alters breathing and communication, necessitating a stoma (permanent opening) in the neck for breathing. Post-surgery, individuals, known as laryngectomees, can restore communication through methods like esophageal speech, tracheoesophageal speech, or electronic speech, each offering unique advantages. Support groups can help laryngectomees cope with voice changes and social reactions, facilitating a return to normal life.
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Why might someone need a laryngectomy?
A laryngectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of the larynx (voice box), is most often performed to treat laryngeal cancer when chemotherapy is unsuccessful. It may also be necessary when the larynx suffers trauma from gunshot wounds, severe fractures, or other injuries.
There are two types of laryngectomy:
* Partial laryngectomy Involves removing only a portion of the larynx or surrounding muscles. The voice may sound weak or hoarse, but the individual retains their usual speech and swallowing patterns.
* Total laryngectomy Involves complete removal of the larynx, which alters both breathing and communication. A stoma, or permanent opening, is created in the front of the neck to allow the individual to breathe, but speech is altered.4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What happens during a laryngectomy surgery?
A laryngectomy is a surgical procedure involving partial or total removal of the larynx (voice box), often to treat laryngeal cancer when chemotherapy fails or in cases of trauma. Partial laryngectomy removes a portion of the larynx, potentially weakening the voice. Total laryngectomy involves complete removal, altering breathing and communication. A stoma, a permanent opening in the neck, is created for breathing.
Communication is restored through methods like esophageal speech, tracheoesophageal speech, or electronic speech. Esophageal speech involves forcing air into the esophagus. Tracheoesophageal speech uses a device to redirect air from the trachea to the esophagus. Electronic speech uses an artificial larynx for clearer voice and increased volume. Support groups aid in coping with voice changes and social challenges post-surgery.
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How does breathing change after a laryngectomy?
After a laryngectomy, breathing is permanently altered because the larynx is removed or partially removed. A total laryngectomy alters breathing and communication. A stoma, which is a permanent opening, is created in the front of the neck to allow the individual to breathe. With the larynx gone, the connection between the lungs and the mouth is lost, requiring this new opening for air to enter and leave the lungs. People who have had laryngectomies are known as laryngectomees.
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How does a laryngectomy affect a person's ability to speak?
A laryngectomy, the removal of the larynx (voice box), is typically performed to treat laryngeal cancer or trauma when other treatments fail. A total laryngectomy alters both breathing and communication. The patient breathes through a stoma, a permanent opening in the neck, and must learn new ways to speak.
Communication can be restored through esophageal speech, tracheoesophageal speech, or with an electronic larynx. Esophageal speech involves trapping air in the esophagus and releasing it to create sound, while tracheoesophageal speech uses a device to redirect air from the trachea to the esophagus. An electronic larynx uses an artificial sound source to enable audible speech.
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What types of support or devices can help people after a laryngectomy?
After a laryngectomy, which involves the removal of all or part of the larynx, several devices and methods can help restore communication.
- Esophageal speech involves trapping air in the esophagus and releasing it to create sound, similar to a controlled burp. This method requires no devices or surgery but can be challenging to master.
- Tracheoesophageal speech uses a device to redirect air from the trachea to the esophagus through a surgically created opening. A one-way valve allows air to flow from the lungs into the mouth, producing a more natural-sounding voice.
- Electronic speech employs an artificial larynx, which can be held against the neck or inserted into the mouth, to generate a clearer and louder voice.
Support groups can also help people cope with the emotional and social challenges following a laryngectomy.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
laryngectomy, surgical procedure to remove all or a portion of the larynx (voice box). The procedure most often is used to treat persons affected by cancer of the larynx when chemotherapy is unsuccessful. However, it may also be performed when gunshot wounds, severe fractures, or other trauma affect the larynx. Viennese surgeon Theodor Billroth performed the first complete laryngectomy in 1873.
A laryngectomy may be partial or total. In a partial laryngectomy, only a portion of the larynx or the surrounding muscles is removed. Although the voice is not lost and the individual may retain his or her usual patterns of speech and swallowing, the voice may sound weak or hoarse. The larynx is completely removed in a total laryngectomy, which alters breathing and communication. A stoma (permanent opening) created in the front of the neck allows the individual to breathe, but speech is altered. People who have had laryngectomies are known as laryngectomees; some refer to themselves as “larries.”
Laryngectomees are taught one of three alternative ways of talking to restore communication: esophageal speech, tracheoesophageal speech, or electronic (or artificial larynx) speech. The goal is to learn a new speaking technique that is the most comfortable for the individual.
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In esophageal speech, the individual draws air in through the mouth and forces the air into the esophagus by locking the tongue. The process is similar to a controlled burp. Esophageal speech is less costly than other methods because it requires no equipment or surgery. However, the challenge of vocal phrasing and the low volume of speech that results may make it difficult for others to understand the individual.
Tracheoesophageal speech is similar to esophageal speech, but the individual uses a device to redirect air from the trachea into the esophagus. The device is inserted at the stoma site and into an opening that is made surgically between the trachea and the esophagus in a procedure known as tracheoesophageal puncture. A small one-way valve placed into the opening allows the laryngectomee to force air from the lungs into the mouth. This method results in a more natural-sounding voice when compared with esophageal speech.
Electronic speech involves the use of an electronic, or artificial, larynx, which creates a clearer voice and increases vocal volume. There are two types of artificial larynxes. The extraoral (neck-held) type is a small battery-powered hand-held device that has a vibrating disk on one end. When pressed against the upper neck or throat, the vibrations facilitate the transfer of sound into the throat and oral cavity. The intraoral type consists of a small external battery pack that is connected by a wire to a sound emitter. Other models feature a mouth tube that is connected to a cuplike device that covers the stoma.
Following laryngectomy, some people experience depression and social withdrawal because of the changes in their voices and the reactions of others. A number of support groups have been established for laryngectomees, and many patients find that joining such groups is beneficial. Most laryngectomees successfully return to their jobs and resume most of their usual activities.
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