[Evaluation of various phonatory parameters in laryngectomized patients: comparison of esophageal and tracheo-esophageal prosthesis phonation]

Today there is increased need for an objective comparison between the various post-total laryngectomy phonatory rehabilitation techniques. This survey involves 20 patients who, after total laryngectomy, underwent rehabilitation using the esophageal voice (n = 10) or through the application of a secondary tracheal-esophageal prosthesis (n = 10). The multivariate analysis indicated that the only phonatory parameter which differed significantly between the two types of voice was the maximum phonation time (MPT) (p < 0.01). The MPT was markedly longer in patients with the tracheal-esophageal prosthesis. In patients with prosthesis, the Mann-Whitney test highlighted better figures for the following parameters: MPT (p = 0.0003), GP (maximum number of words that can be read in one breath) (p = 0.009), maximum intensity level (MIL) (p = 0.019), Shimmer (p = 0.008) and noise-to harmonics ratio (NHR) (p = 0.049). Furthermore, the Spearman test proved there is a relationship between MIL and GP, and between Pitch and Shimmer. Therefore, the tracheal-esophageal prosthesis seems to offer better phonatory energy and phonatory duration for every breath. However, these methods of objective inquiry need to be further developed so that comparison-among the different authors and among the different rehabilitation methods-can be made easier than it is now.