Long-term Performance of Indwelling Tracheoesophageal Speaking Valves in Chinese Patients Undergoing Laryngectomy

Abstract

Our success rate in using indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves was comparable to that reported in the Western literature. The median device lifetime of 8.2 months was satisfactory. Patient age was found to be a significant predictor of successful tracheoesophageal speech rehabilitation, with age of 60 years or more adversely affecting device lifetime.