Dates to be confirmed
Course details
- Duration: 5 days
- Pre-course requirement:
Participants must first successfully complete a pre-course e-learning module - Fees: £1,250
inclusive of E-learning module - Venue: South Kensington Campus
Course directed by Dr Margaret Coffey, Dr Gemma Clunie and Mr Peter Clarke
The clinical and evidence based course continues to be updated to include recent cutting edge advances in the field of Head and Neck Cancer. The course focuses on surgery for both standard and extended laryngectomy procedures and the associated rehabilitation challenges. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to perform and interpret videofluoroscopy evaluation including delegate participation workshops.
Additional topics covered will include:
- Alterations to anatomy and physiology post laryngectomy and their impact on breathing, swallow and voice
- What extensive surgical flap reconstruction involves and how this impacts functional rehabilitation
- Effects of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and IMRT on the laryngectomy patient
- Assessment, diagnosis and management of vibratory segment tonicity including performing and interpreting an air insufflation test
- Management of pharyngoesophageal spasm with Botulinum toxin
- Selection, placement and ongoing management of voice prostheses
- Future developments for the management of laryngeal cancer
More information
This module will enable the course participants to:
- Develop their knowledge of cancer of the pharynx, larynx and post cricoid region; including presentation, assessment, diagnosis and treatment options.
- Develop the knowledge and advanced clinical skills to optimise swallowing and voice rehabilitation, with particular reference to Surgical Voice Restoration.
- Diagnose and manage post-operative complications including ones related to the stoma, tracheo-oesophageal puncture, prosthesis and reconstructed/vibratory segment.
- Learn to perform and interpret videofluroscopy evaluation of swallow and voice function after laryngectomy.
- Learn to assess vibratory segment tonicity including how to perform air insufflation assessment with and without videofluoroscopic guidance.
- Understand methods to modify tonicity including the use of chemical neurectomy using Botox.
This course is taught at Masters' Level and requires that participants have a solid working knowledge in the field of laryngectomy and surgical voice restoration to be able to follow and benefit from the information being taught. It is recommended that delegates have previously attended some form of basic training e.g. a one day hands-on Macmillan Basic Level course.
As a guideline, it is suggested that candidates should ideally have practised in the field of Head and Neck Oncology for a minimum of 3 years, however it is recognised that some therapists working in larger Head and Neck units alongside more experienced colleagues may have gained the equivalent experience in a shorter period of time.
Successful completion of the innovative and award winning E-Learning module “Understanding Laryngectomy Surgery to Optimise Swallow and Voice Outcomes” is included as a compulsory pre-requisite.
"This course beats any other course I have been on to date in terms of tailoring to direct learning, relevance to clinical application and practical hints and tips...hands down!"
"The overall content of the course was excellent and well exceeded my expectations. The best thing about it was that as well as evidence base being given at each point, it was also full of practical ideas and was a real ‘How to...’ guide – exactly what I needed at this point in my SLT career."
"Absolutely fabulous learning and consolidation opportunity for any clinician with experience working with SVR. There is nothing else that I am aware of available in the world that covers SVR in its entirety like this and I can’t recommend it enough! Absolutely – worth every airfare cent!"