Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Aug 2020)

Tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis management in laryngectomy patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • David P. Goldstein,
  • Gilbert Ralph,
  • John R. de Almeida,
  • Ashok R. Jethwa,
  • Jonathan Irish,
  • Douglas B. Chepeha,
  • Dale Brown,
  • Patrick Gullane,
  • John Waldron,
  • Elana Aziza,
  • Lisa Durkin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-020-00456-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 49, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant changes and challenges in the management of oncology patients. One of the major strategies to reduce transmission of the virus between patients and healthcare workers is deferral of follow-up visits. However, deferral may not be possible in total laryngectomy patients. Urgent procedures may be necessary to prevent complications related to ill-fitting tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) voice prostheses, such as aspiration or loss of voicing. In this paper, we describe the Princess Margaret Cancer Center’s approach to managing this unique patient population.

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