The definition of non-functional larynx
Patients were deemed to have non-functional larynx (NFL) if one of the following criteria were met: 1) gastrostomy dependence >2 years since treatment 2) permanent tracheostomy 3) functional laryngectomy and/or 4) chronic aspiration (defined as the presence of aspiration on videofluoroscopy or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow with associated recurrent chest infections).