The experience of elderly submitted to complete laryngectomy.

Abstract

Laryngectomy causes functional and esthetic lesions on the patients, and therefore they need emotional support to resume their activities. This exploratory descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, was developed with 16 elderly patients of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, submitted to complete laryngectomy, with the aim of collecting their experience after the surgery. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis allowed building the following categories possible to be built: identity loss, social isolation, and communication difficulties. The change in body image and communication difficulties contribute for the elderly perception of social exclusion, being a burden to the family, and concern with the future. Limitations resulting from surgery and from changes in body image result in emotional and social fragility, which can be minimized by the support of interdisciplinary interventions.