Laryngectomy Surgery, Management and Rehabilitation During COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant shifts in the management of patients with a total laryngectomy. This is due to recommendations to limit or eliminate any aerosol generating procedures (AGP) with the goal to protect both patients and health care providers during this crisis. The changes include decisions in regards to the surgery and timing of tracheoesophageal puncture, choice of type of voice prosthesis, airway management in the hospital and community, and voice prosthesis management. This has major implications for the patients as well as the HCPs who care for them and the recommendations impact directly on the care of patients with a total laryngectomy.

International panel:

Dr Richard Dirven, MD, PhD
Head and Neck Surgeon, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Prof Dr Miguel Quer, MD, PhD
Head and Neck Surgeon, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona, Chair in ENT H&N Surgery, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology in Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Dr Steffen Dommerich, MD
Head and Neck Surgeon, Charite University Medical Center, Berlin

Dr Andy Bertolin, MD
Head and Neck Surgeon, Chair ENT Dept Laryngeal Cancer Centre, Vittorio Veneto Hospital, Treviso, Italy

Mrs Grainne Brady, MRes, MRCSLT
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Dr Claudio Parrilla, MD, PhD
Head and Neck Surgeon, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Gemelli Hospital), Rome, Italy

Commentary that was referenced during the discussion:

Commentary on the management of total laryngectomy patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic