Review of prognostic factors for esophageal voice

Plan A of this study was completed. Plan B of the study is the subject for future research. A review of the laryngectomy literature, from the earliest mention of the laryngectomy surgical procedure to the present was conducted; with specific emphasis upon factors pertinent to laryngectomee rehabilitation and esophageal speech development. Psychological, idiosyncratic, social, therapeutic and physiological factors were reported as affecting esophageal voice development. There were a great diversity of variables that might be predictive in judging acquisition of esophageal voice. However, much of the information regarding predictive variables was based on subjective reports, poorly controlled statistical research, or insignificant correlations. A Preliminary Esophageal Voice Checklist was developed to provide a systematic survey of variables frequently reported in the literature as affecting esophageal voice development. A proposal for experimental study, Plan B, was made for development of a pre-intervention assessment tool. Such a tool would allow the clinician to judge a laryngectomee\u27s potential for esophageal development or an alternate form of communication. [Keywords: Alaryngeal speech; Esophageal speech or voice; Esophagus; Laryngectomee; Laryngectomy; Larynx