WHAT IS A LARYNGECTOMY?
A laryngectomy is a surgical procedure involving removal of the larynx. The word “larynx” is a term that means “voice box.” Your voice box is the part of your body that contains your vocal cords, airway, and swallowing muscles. All three of these functions are altered with this procedure. Separation of the airway from the mouth, nose, and esophagus will occur with this procedure, in addition to removal of the voice box.
There are two main pathways in your throat. One pathway leads to the stomach. It is known as the esophagus or your “food tube.” The other leads to your lungs, and is called the trachea or “windpipe.” After a laryngectomy, the esophagus and windpipe no longer share a connected space. After your surgeons remove your voice box, they will create a stoma. Breathing will now occur through this opening in your neck called a stoma.
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Lary Talk 101
Here are terms used concerning care and life after a laryngectomy.
Laryngectomee - Someone that has had a laryngectomy
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Neck Breather- term used to alert medical and other emergency staff that normal CPR can not be performed and that there may be difficulty with speech as well. It is ok to use and not a derogatory term.
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SLP - Speech Language Pathologist;
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educates about anatomy, surgery, speech options
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teaches how to swallow, use and care for speaking and airway devices and tools
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Electrolarynx (EL) - a battery operated machine that produces sound for you to create a voice. It looks like a miniature microphone or small flashlight. Commonly seen in the quit smoking ads.
Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) - A device that is placed in the wall that separates the trachea and esophagus in order to enable a total laryngectomy patient to make voice.
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Stoma - permanent opening at the base of the neck for breathing after a laryngectomy
Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) - has been designed to replicate the functions of the nose and upper airways to improve respiratory function following laryngectomy. After surgery, the air bypasses your nose and mouth and all breathing is done via the stoma opening in your neck.
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