Skip to main content
AAO-HNSF 2023 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Back
Rate ePoster

Head and Neck Surgery

(533) Utility of a Mobile Lip-Reading Application for Total Laryngectomy Patients

Monday, October 2, 2023
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Shreyas G. Krishnapura, BS

    Medical Student
    Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • DS

    Daniel D. Sharbel, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Augusta University Medical Center - Department of Otolaryngology, United States

  • KM

    Kyle Mannion, MD

    Associate Professor
    Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    nashville, Tennessee, USA

  • Alexander J. Langerman, MD, SM, FACS

    Associate Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, TN, United States

  • RS

    Robert J. Sinard, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States

  • Sarah L. Rohde, MD, MMHC

    Associate Professor
    Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, TN, USA

    • Senior Author(s)

  • MT

    Michael C. Topf, MD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, TN, United States

Disclosure(s):
Shreyas G. Krishnapura, BS: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Robert J. Sinard, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: The post-operative total laryngectomy (TL) patient has limited options for speech rehabilitation, resulting in communication difficulties and patient frustration. We aim to use a novel mobile application, the Speech Recognition Application for the Voice Impaired (SRAVI), to improve postoperative communication among TL patients.

Methods: We are conducting a prospective feasibility study of all English-speaking and literate patients who undergo TL beginning October 2022 at a single academic institution. Participants received a tutorial on the SRAVI application and iPad prior to use. Total accuracy of the app and accuracy of first-generated option (Rank 1) are calculated for each patient. At the conclusion of their inpatient stay, patients are surveyed using a modified version of the 35-item Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences After Laryngectomy (SECEL) questionnaire with additional questions specific to SRAVI use. Patients are also given an Ease of Communication Scale questionnaire (a 10-question scale out of 40).

Results: 10 patients have been enrolled in the study thus far (one patient withdrew due to difficulty coping with the surgery). Mean (SD) age was 64.2 (5.9) with 6 male and 4 female patients. Of 285 valid transactions, Rank 1 accuracy was 42% with a total accuracy of 70%. Mean (SD) Ease of Communication score was 18.6 (16.2). Six of nine patients strongly preferred SRAVI to written communication and report SRAVI positively impacted their hospital experience.

Conclusions: Use of SRAVI is feasible in the postoperative TL setting. A majority of TL patients prefer SRAVI over written communication. Initial implementation showed a lower overall accuracy when compared to prior feasibility studies. However, this study is the first use of the technology that allows patients to use the application without research personnel present at all times. User interface changes such as a “try again” option, larger buttons for older patients, and a manual validation option are currently being added to improve patient experiences and accuracy.