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Informing patient choice and service planning in surgical voice restoration: valve usage over three years in a UK head and neck cancer unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2021

K McLachlan ,
A Hurren ,
S Owen  and
N Miller
K McLachlan
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Oncology, St John's Hospital, NHS Lothian, Livingston, Scotland, UK
A Hurren*
Affiliation:
Speech and Language Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, UK
S Owen
Affiliation:
Speech and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
N Miller
Affiliation:
Speech and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr A Hurren, Speech and Language Sciences, CL411, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Calverley Building, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK E-mail: a.hurren@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine the number, reasons and costs of surgical voice restoration related tracheoesophageal valve attendances over 36 months at a head and neck oncology unit.

Method

Demographic, medical and valve related details from all patient contacts were recorded, including self-change information, urgent appointment information, modifications required and costs of prostheses.

Results

Over 3 years, 99 patients underwent 970 valve changes. The main reasons for changes were central leakage, prophylactic change and self-change at home. Changes were significantly more frequent in the first 12 months (mean, 42 days) compared with longstanding patients (mean, 109.96). Intervals between changes were unpredictable; no predictive factors reached statistical significance. Mean expenditure on valves was £966.63 per week (including value added tax and in-house customisation).

Conclusion

Valve lifespan is comparable with outcomes in similar units despite more pre-emptive and patient-led changes and more comprehensive data inclusion. Investigation into how patient satisfaction and costs relate to valve selection and units’ service delivery models is needed.

Keywords

LaryngectomySpeechAlaryngealLarynxArtificialHead And Neck Neoplasms

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 2 , February 2022 , pp. 158 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Kirsty McLachlan takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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