The role of speech therapy in the head and neck service.

Abstract

The vital role of the speech therapist, in the multi-disciplinary approach to the rehabilitation of patients subjected to ablative surgery for malignant disease of the head and neck region, is reviewed. The role of the surgical techniques of speech rehabilitation of the laryngectomised patient, who has failed to respond to the therapist's instruction in oesophageal speech rehabilitation, is high-lighted. The deliberate pharyngeal fistula created from the pharynx to the skin surface, is connected by a "speech device" to the tracheostomy stoma. The diversion of expired pulmonary air into the pharynx allows for immediate articulation.