title: Changes in eating habits following total and frontolateral laryngectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Swallowing is a continuous dynamic process, characterized by complex stages, that involves structures of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus. It can be divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty with, or the inability to swallow food of normal consistencies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the presence of swallowing difficulties and modifications made to the consistency of the food consumed in cases of total and partial laryngectomy, with or without subsequent radiotherapy, among patients who had not been diagnosed as having dysphagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Voice Clinic of São Paulo Hospital, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 laryngectomy patients: 25 total and 11 frontolateral cases, were studied. A survey consisting of a 23-item questionnaire was applied by a single professional.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among those interviewed, 44% reported having modified the consistency of the food consumed (56% of the total and 20% of the partial frontolateral laryngectomy cases). It was not possible to investigate the influence of radiotherapy on the groups in this study, because the partial frontolateral laryngectomy cases were not exposed to radiotherapy. There was a higher incidence of complaints of swallowing difficulties in total laryngectomy cases (p < 0.027) than in partial frontolateral cases. However, there was no relationship between the surgery and weight loss. We also noted the patients' other problems regarding the eating process, as well as the compensation that they made for such problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research has shown an association between laryngectomy and swallowing difficulties, although there have been no reports of associated changes in eating habits among laryngectomized patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that difficulty in swallowing is not rare in total and frontolateral laryngectomy cases. Such patients, even those who did not complain of dysphagia, also had minor difficulties while eating, and had to make some adaptations to their meals.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil. jackpillon.otor@epm.br
authors.forename: Jackeline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pillon
authors.forename: Maria Inês Rebelo
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Noemi Grigoletto
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: De Biase
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors