Study of Voice Differences After Tracheoesophageal Speech Rehabilitation in Adults Who Have Had Total Laryngectomy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying voice differences between male and female patients who use a tracheoesophageal prosthesis TEP after total laryngectomy, a surgery removing the larynx due to advanced cancer. The study aims to understand subjective and objective speech and voice outcomes and how they may differ by gender. This research is important because females may experience poorer voice quality and satisfaction compared to males, affecting their quality of life. The study focuses on patients who have completed total laryngectomy and are rehabilitating their speech using tracheoesophageal speech through TEP. Researchers will use multiple measures including acoustic analysis, perceptual evaluations, and patient-reported outcomes to assess voice and speech. The study is conducted at multiple sites and collects data over approximately three years. Participants will undergo assessments including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck FACT-H&N, Alaryngeal Voice Handicap Index AVHI, and other voice quality measures such as GRBAS scale, sustained phonation time, and fundamental frequency. These evaluations will help quantify gender disparities in voice outcomes. The study includes ongoing monitoring until study completion, with data collection anticipated through June 2025 and study completion by September 2026.

Gender Disparities in Voice Outcomes After Tracheoesophageal Puncture in Total Laryngectomy Patients (UC Davis)