tracheoesophageal puncture

A tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is a surgical procedure that creates a small opening between the windpipe (trachea) and the food pipe (esophagus). This opening allows a person who has lost their voice due to throat or larynx removal to speak again. A special voice prosthesis, or valve, is inserted into the opening, enabling air from the lungs to pass into the esophagus and produce speech. The procedure restores a form of natural voice and helps improve communication for individuals after certain throat surgeries.