Receiving sedation while undergoing a diagnostic procedure (i.e. colonoscopy) or general anesthesia while undergoing surgery is challenging for neck breathers including laryngectomees.

Unfortunately, most medical personnel including nurses, medical technicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists caring for a laryngectomees before, during, and after surgery are not familiar with their unique anatomy, how they speak, and how to manage their airways. As a result many health providers have less contact than ever with laryngectomees. A manuscript explaining the special needs of laryngectomees and other neck breathers is available at http://dribrook.blogspot.com/2012/06/ventilation-of-neck-breathers.html
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