Voice and quality of life of totally laryngectomized patients: a comparative study

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the voice-related quality of life in totally laryngectomized patients in speech therapy for a support group. Methods: the studied population was composed of 11 totally laryngectomized subjects of both genders between 43 and 83 years of age, who speak using a trachoesophageal prosthesis or electronic larynx. The patients answered the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VR-QOL) questionnaire and rated their satisfaction with their communication on a 10cm visual analogic scale. Results were submitted to statistical analysis with a 5% significance level. Results: tracheoesophageal prosthesis speakers had better results in the global score of the VR-QOL when compared with electronic larynx speakers (p=0.026). The subject with higher global V-RQOL scores had higher satisfaction levels regarding their communication (p=0.001). Satisfaction levels with communication were also statistically related to time of surgery (p=0.05). There were no statistically significant associations regarding satisfaction with communication and sociodemographic variables sex (p=0.154) and age (p=0.303). Conclusion: individuals with more time since surgery are better satisfied with their communication. Satisfaction levels showed that the VR-QOL is a reliable measure of communication satisfaction of totally laryngectomized patients.