Practice of laryngectomy rehabilitation interventions: a perspective from India

Purpose of review Total laryngectomy remains the treatment for a significant number of locally advanced cancers (T4) or as a salvage procedure following failure of chemoradiotherapy. Loss of natural voice is the most important disadvantage of this surgery, and impacts quality of life. In the past few decades, there has been emphasis on rehabilitative efforts after laryngectomy. Laryngectomy rehabilitation is practiced globally, and is subject to regional problems and constraints. This calls for better understanding of experiences of differing geographical regions, and the impact of the local socioeconomic conditions on post-laryngectomy rehabilitation. Recent findings Current world literature focuses on advances in voice prosthesis, which would lead to better rehabilitation as well as improve the life of prostheses. The current review focuses on voice rehabilitation post-laryngectomy: the existing world literature, and how it has impacted prosthetic voice rehabilitation in India, within the local constraints. Summary The practice of prosthetic voice rehabilitation is well established in the Indian scenario, with results favorably comparing to world literature. However, few centers have the expertise and support staff to implement an effective post-laryngectomy rehabilitative program. There is need for assessment in a structured manner of outcomes and economic benefits of post-laryngectomy rehabilitation.