You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer

You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer: Medic-alert bracelets are often worn by patients to indicate that they have undergone a laryngectomy (Fig 2). A patient may carry a laryngectomy passport, or if they are in a hospital bed, then they should have a laryngectomy bedhead sign.

Patients will often wear a covering over the neck, either cosmetic or to provide some humidification. Remember to look! If the neck is exposed, then the anatomy may be obvious, with surgical scars and a sunken area in the neck where the larynx used to be. Feel your own neck and try to identify your 'Adam's apple' – this is what will have been removed.

Fig 3 is an image of John's neck.

You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer: Medic-alert bracelets are often worn by patients to indicate that they have undergone a laryngectomy (Fig 2). A patient may carry a laryngectomy passport, or if they are in a hospital bed, then they should have a laryngectomy bedhead sign.

Patients will often wear a covering over the neck, either cosmetic or to provide some humidification. Remember to look! If the neck is exposed, then the anatomy may be obvious, with surgical scars and a sunken area in the neck where the larynx used to be. Feel your own neck and try to identify your 'Adam's apple' – this is what will have been removed.

Fig 3 is an image of John's neck.

It isn't always clear from talking to a laryngectomee that they don't have a larynx. Fig 4 is a short video of John talking about his laryngectomy. How is he talking if he doesn't have a voice box? We'll learn more about that later.

You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer: Medic-alert bracelets are often worn by patients to indicate that they have undergone a laryngectomy (Fig 2). A patient may carry a laryngectomy passport, or if they are in a hospital bed, then they should have a laryngectomy bedhead sign.

Patients will often wear a covering over the neck, either cosmetic or to provide some humidification. Remember to look! If the neck is exposed, then the anatomy may be obvious, with surgical scars and a sunken area in the neck where the larynx used to be. Feel your own neck and try to identify your 'Adam's apple' – this is what will have been removed.

Fig 3 is an image of John's neck.

It isn't always clear from talking to a laryngectomee that they don't have a larynx. Fig 4 is a short video of John talking about his laryngectomy. How is he talking if he doesn't have a voice box? We'll learn more about that later.

You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer: Medic-alert bracelets are often worn by patients to indicate that they have undergone a laryngectomy (Fig 2). A patient may carry a laryngectomy passport, or if they are in a hospital bed, then they should have a laryngectomy bedhead sign.

Patients will often wear a covering over the neck, either cosmetic or to provide some humidification. Remember to look! If the neck is exposed, then the anatomy may be obvious, with surgical scars and a sunken area in the neck where the larynx used to be. Feel your own neck and try to identify your 'Adam's apple' – this is what will have been removed.

Fig 3 is an image of John's neck.

It isn't always clear from talking to a laryngectomee that they don't have a larynx. Fig 4 is a short video of John talking about his laryngectomy. How is he talking if he doesn't have a voice box? We'll learn more about that later.

You can't always tell when you meet a laryngectomee that they are a neck-only breather. This can lead to problems, especially if the patient can't talk or if they are unwell and can’t communicate with you.

Question: If you met John (Fig 1), what clues would you look for?

Answer: Medic-alert bracelets are often worn by patients to indicate that they have undergone a laryngectomy (Fig 2). A patient may carry a laryngectomy passport, or if they are in a hospital bed, then they should have a laryngectomy bedhead sign.

Patients will often wear a covering over the neck, either cosmetic or to provide some humidification. Remember to look! If the neck is exposed, then the anatomy may be obvious, with surgical scars and a sunken area in the neck where the larynx used to be. Feel your own neck and try to identify your 'Adam's apple' – this is what will have been removed.

Fig 3 is an image of John's neck.

It isn't always clear from talking to a laryngectomee that they don't have a larynx. Fig 4 is a short video of John talking about his laryngectomy. How is he talking if he doesn't have a voice box? We'll learn more about that later.