Ljiljana Širić

By Ljiljana Širić, Marinela Rosso and Aleksandar Včev

The total laryngectomy is a standard procedure of laryngeal carcinoma treatment which leaves multiple persistent consequences on a laryngectomized person. After laryngectomy, all of patients cannot speak loudly, and 10–58% patients have a dysphagia. In such changed anatomical condition, the esophagus has a key function in two of three primary approaches to voice—speech rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients: esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech therapy method because one of these is the only acceptable solution of substitute alaryngeal speech. In esophageal speech, the esophagus has the role of speech air reservoirs since the respiratory and digestive pathways are permanently separated after the procedure. In the production of tracheoesophageal speech, the tracheoesophageal fistula and the esophagus allow the recommunication of these pathways and the use of air from the lungs for speech. There are several prerequisites for successful esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech. After tracheoesophageal puncture and insertion, the tracheoesophageal prosthesis may occur different complications in the early or late postoperative period in 10–60% of patients. The quality of alaryngeal voice is very different from the quality of laryngeal voice, but allows communication to laryngectomees.

Part of the book: Esophageal Cancer and Beyond

By Ljiljana Širić, Marinela Rosso and Aleksandar Včev

Esophageal diseases are diagnosed by gastroenterological processing indicated due to typical gastrointestinal symptoms, but typical gastrointestinal symptoms are not the only possible manifestation of esophageal disease. There are also external symptoms such as chronic cough, laryngitis, pharyngitis, oropharyngeal dysphagia, odynophagia, laryngopharyngeal reflux, dysphonia, sinusitis, ear pain, and changes in laryngopharyngeal mucosa (erythema, edema, ventricular obliteration, cricoid hyperplasia and pseudosulcus). Extraesophageal symptoms are common in esophagitis and GERD, and studies show increasing prevalence of LPR in patients with GERD, as well as an association of reflux disease with cough and dysphonia symptoms. The aim of the chapter is to describe these extraesophageal symptoms of esophageal disease and how to recognize and treat them, in order to facilitate gastroenterologists’ diagnostic processing of patients with these symptoms, improve their treatment and assessment of the therapy effectiveness, prevent the development of stronger symptoms, and encourage multidisciplinary cooperation and exchange of knowledge, scientific and clinical work.

Part of the book: Esophagitis and Gastritis

By Ljiljana Širić, Marinela Rosso and Aleksandar Včev

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) have different pathophysiological mechanisms of occurrence and are characterized by different clinical pictures and symptomatology. In clinical practice, it often happens that LPR remains unrecognized or is defined as atypical gastroesophageal reflux, thus, it is necessary to distinguish between these two clinical entities. Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the return of gastric contents from the stomach through the esophagus to the larynx, pharynx, paranasal cavities, middle ear, and lower respiratory tract, and it is part of the wider extraesophageal reflux syndrome (EER). Extraesophageal symptoms are common in GERD, and studies show an increasing prevalence of LPR in patients with GERD, as well as an association of reflux disease with cough and dysphonia symptoms. The aim of the chapter is to describe differences between GER and LPR in order to facilitate the recognition and differentiation of manifest and latent symptoms, diagnosis, and choice of therapeutic approach.

Part of the book: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease