Purpose
Tracheoesophageal Puncture (TEP) is an effective rehabilitation method for postlaryngectomy speech and has already been described as a procedure that is safely performed in the office. We review our long-term experience with office-based TEP over the past seven years in the largest cohort published to date.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent TEP by a single surgeon from 2005 through 2012, including office-based and operating room procedures. Indications for the chosen technique (office versus operating room) and surgical outcomes were evaluated.
Results
59 patients underwent 72 TEP procedures, with 55 performed in the outpatient setting and 17 performed in the operating room, all without complication. The indications for performing TEP’s in the operating room included 2 primary TEP’s, 14 due to concomitant procedures requiring general anesthesia, and 1 due to failed attempt at office-based TEP. 19 patients with prior rotational or free flap reconstruction successfully underwent office-based TEP.
Conclusions
TEP in an office-based setting with immediate voice prosthesis placement continues to be a safe method of voice rehabilitation for postlaryngectomy patients, including those who have previously undergone free flap or rotational flap reconstruction. Office-based TEP is now our primary approach for postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation.