Our experience of shorter stay and lower cost for local vs general anaesthetic placement of tracheoesophageal fistulae in twenty-seven patients

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) formation and voice prosthesis(VP) placement is the standard for voice restoration in post‐laryngectomy patients.1 This is performed primarily at the time of laryngectomy or as a secondary procedure following ablative surgery. Delayed VP placement has been largely supplanted by immediate placement; however, some patients require a delay. Puncture methods vary, but historically, it is undertaken under general anaesthesia (GA). This can be technically difficult or impossible, lengthy and financially cumbersome for undertaking institutions.