Once a laryngeal carcinoma has been diagnosed and surgical removal (laryngectomy) has been scheduled, the ENT physician for pre-operative counseling refers the Veteran to the Laryngectomy Clinic. During pre-operative counseling every aspect of the surgical procedure, post-operative care, voice restoration, and the physiological changes that will occur are discussed. Spouse and other family members are involved in this counseling process whenever possible. These patients are provided with a variety of patient education materials to facilitate the rehabilitation process. Following the laryngectomy procedure, the patient is seen daily beginning in the SICU to provide post-operative counseling until medical clearance to initiate voice rehabilitation is received from the ENT physician. The Laryngectomy Clinic is dedicated to provide the most advanced voice restoration treatment available. Training in the use of artificial larynx devices, esophageal speech and the "Blom-Singer" tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis is provided. Significant attention is also provided to the psycho-social aspects associated with laryngectomy surgery.
The Laryngectomy Clinic also provides follow-up treatment upon
successful completion of voice rehabilitation for the maintenance
and support of emotional, physical, and the prosthetic equipment
needs of the veteran. The replacement and repair of both
artificial larynges and the tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis is
provided on an as needed basis.