RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of primary vs secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP), in particular the effects of preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy on success and complication rates in primary TEPs, and to highlight modified surgical and management techniques. DESIGN: Retrospective study of case series. SETTING: Chevalier Jackson-Norris Center-Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology at Temple University Health Sciences Center Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. PATIENTS: One hundred six consecutive patients underwent primary TEPs and 30 underwent secondary TEPs for voice restoration after laryngectomy for cancer over a period of 8 years with follow-ups ranging from 6 months to 8.5 years. The group given primary TEP also includes 19 patients who received radiation for cure and salvage laryngectomy and 75 who received full-course postoperative radiotherapy. INTERVENTION: Tracheoesophageal puncture and Blom-Singer prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech measures including (1) voice intensity, (2) pitch of speech, (3) duration of sustained phonation, and (4) rate of speech. RESULTS: A success rate of 93% was achieved in the group of patients given primary TEP regardless of radiotherapy. An 83% success rate was achieved with patients given secondary TEP. There were no major complications related to TEPs. CONCLUSIONS: Primary TEP for patients requiring total laryngectomy is highly recommended since a second operative procedure can be avoided and speech obtained rapidly. Postoperative radiotherapy does not increase the complication rate from TEP.