Special populations Flashcards
What are common treatments for laryngeal cancers?
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
- surgery
What are some of the first symptoms of laryngeal cancer?
chronic hoarseness, dyspnea, stridor, dysphagia, pain, swelling, odynophagia
What are the different types of laryngectomies?
- total laryngectomy
- hemilaryngectomy
- supraglottic laryngectomy
What is a total laryngectomy?
all of the laryngeal structures are removed
-the trachea is pulled up and sutured to the tracheostoma
What is a hemi-laryngectomy?
half of the larynx is removed (right or left side)
When is a hemi-laryngectomy a viable option?
if the tumor is confined to one VF and the doctors are sure they will remove the whole tumor with just the removal of the one VF
What is the biggest risk of a hemi-laryngectomy?
dysphagia
What is a supraglottic laryngectomy?
when everything above the larynx is removed
What do surgeons do to the larynx during a supraglottic laryngectomy?
pull it up so it is closer to the tongue (the tongue can then help protect the airway)
What two types of laryngectomy can preserve the voice?
hemi-laryngectomy and supraglottic laryngectomy
Where does a person’s air come from if they have a total laryngectomy?
their tracheostoma
What is the problem with air that comes through the stoma?
it isn’t warmed, moistened, or filtered
What are separated during a total laryngectomy?
the eating and air pathway
What is an electrolarynx?
a device that that looks like a microphone with a button on the end
- the head of the device is put flush against the skin
- the device vibrates the air in the cavities and the articulators shape the air
What are some advantages of an electrolarynx?
easily portable, fast way to start communicating, can possibly have pitch variations
What are some disadvantages of the electrolarynx?
- can’t use both hands when speaking
- can sound very mechanical
- may feel socially awkward
What sound education for using the device include?
- when to phrase
- when to press the button
- proper seal
- over articulation of words
What is esophageal speech?
when the client learns to inject air just underneath the upper esophageal sphincter and then pushes it back out
What does the tongue do during esophageal speech?
acts as a piston; pushes the air back to the pharynx and esophagus
How much air can someone use while using esophageal speech?
about 100 CCs
How much air does a person use when they speak normally?
5 liters
What is the power source for esophageal speech?
injected air
What is the medium used during esophageal speech?
injected air
that is the vibratory source for esophageal speech?
upper esophageal sphincter
What is the power source of speech while using the electrolarynx?
the battery
what is the medium for electrolarynx speech?
air
what is the vibratory source for electrolarynx speech?
the head of the device
What are some advantages for esophageal speech?
- hands free
- no external device needed
- sounds more natural than the buzzing of the electrolarynx