OBJECTIVE: To characterize the voice quality, laryngeal elevation and the presence of cough in patients undergoing esophagectomy in hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional analytical study, quantitative and retrospective in the database of patients undergoing esophagectomy and speech assessment of risk for dysphagia in hospital. RESULTS: report of four patients, all males aged adult, middle-aged, aged and aged 80 years old or more. Four had dysphonia or aphonia; three proper laryngeal elevation and a decreased laryngeal elevation, two had a cough reflex and two had no cough. CONCLUSION: All patients in the analyzed group showed changes in vocal quality, with dysphonia or aphonia, laryngeal elevation adequate and there was no difference between the presence and absence of cough. The findings highlight the need to investigate the issue with the voice of dysphagia assessment, given that the presence of dysphonia or aphonia may suggest lack of glottal closure, which interferes with the mechanism of airway protection during swallowing.