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Long‐term results of Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt: Follow‐up of more than 5 years
Author(s) -
Matsui Hidetoshi,
Iwae Shigemichi,
Hirayama Yuji,
Yonezawa Koichiro,
Shigeji Jun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.26916
Subject(s) - medicine , laryngectomy , surgery , medical record , larynx
Background/Objective The Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt (ATES) represents a nonprosthesis surgical option for voice restoration in laryngectomized patients. However, data regarding the long‐term efficacy of ATES are lacking. Study Design Retrospective, single‐institution study. Methods Between 2001 and 2010, 16 patients with laryngeal cancer underwent total laryngectomy with ATES at the Hyogo Cancer Center (Akashi, Hyogo, Japan). Of these, 11 achieved long‐term tracheoesophageal speech that was maintained for a follow‐up exceeding 5 years (range 75–161 months; median 95 months). All patients were male and ranged from 46 to 74 years of age at the time of ATES surgery. Results Of 11 eligible patients, eight were able to speak intelligibly with ATES at last follow‐up. Regarding aspiration, three patients experienced no leakage, and six experienced mild leakage of saliva without medical intervention at last follow‐up. Almost all patients maintained an unchanged degree of voice quality (9 of 11) and leakage (8 of 11). Conclusion The favorable voice restoration and low aspiration rates achieved in this study appear to support the long‐term efficacy of ATES. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 128:1395–1397, 2018