Managing Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis (TEP) Challenges
Presented by Julie Blair
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Tracheoesophageal voice restoration has become the preferred method of communication post laryngectomy. There are an estimated 50,000 laryngectomees living in the US, and the National Cancer Institute estimates an average of more than 12,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer diagnosed in 2023. This course is designed to educate clinicians on factors that influence patient candidacy for a tracheoesophageal puncture, training tracheoesophageal speech, assessing the tracheoesophageal tract, and troubleshooting complications. Clinicians will be introduced to the various features available in voice prostheses and how to determine which features will best meet a patient’s needs to maximize function and safety.
Meet your instructor
Julie Blair
Julie Blair is a senior speech pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina and a member of the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team. She holds an adjunct faculty position at the College of Health Professions, where she teaches an introductory course in head and neck cancer and provides clinical supervision for the…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Tracheoesophageal Puncture Voice Restoration
This chapter provides an overview of the tracheoesophageal puncture. Timing of the procedure and factors that influence patient candidacy will be discussed.
2. Tracheoesophageal Speech
This chapter will cover the necessary patient training for successful tracheoesophageal (TE) speech. In addition to production of TE speech, care and maintenance of the prosthesis as well as patient troubleshooting of potential challenges is demonstrated.
3. TEP Complications
This chapter will cover the potential complications patients may experience related to having tracheoesophageal puncture. Issues related to prosthesis patency and fit, tissue health, and anatomical challenges will be presented along with strategies to address these issues.
4. TEP Assessment
This chapter will cover the steps to assess the TE tract and voice prosthesis. Education will be provided on available prosthesis features and the factors that influence prosthesis selection. Strategies to address challenging placements will be provided.