Laryngectomy: voice prostheses and speech rehabilitation, per MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus says a surgeon may place a prosthesis that “will allow you to speak after your voice box has been removed,” and that “Speech rehabilitation with a speech therapist will help you relearn how to speak.” This page quotes MedlinePlus only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical, legal, or billing advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia’s Laryngectomy article (review date 1/29/2025).
The surgery and the stoma
MedlinePlus states: “Laryngectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the larynx (voice box).” On breathing: “After surgery you will breathe through your stoma. It will never be removed.”
Tracheoesophageal puncture and the voice prosthesis
MedlinePlus states: “The surgeon may also do a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP).” And: “Your surgeon will place a small man-made part (prosthesis) into this opening. The prosthesis will allow you to speak after your voice box has been removed.” Among the risks it lists are “Leaking around the TEP and prosthesis”, “Problems swallowing and eating”, and “Problems speaking”.
Speech and swallowing therapy
- Before surgery: “A visit with a speech therapist and a swallowing therapist to prepare for changes after surgery.”
- In the hospital: “Speech rehabilitation with a speech therapist will help you relearn how to speak.”
- Later: “You also may start working with a speech therapist to develop speech.”
MedlinePlus uses the term “speech therapist”; the profession is described on the SLP path.
What this page does not do
It does not repeat MedlinePlus’s recovery timelines or describe any other cancer treatment. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, device, or product. Scope of practice is set by state law; check your state board.