Swallowing and quality of life after total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy.
Dysphagia can be a consequence of total laryngectomy even in the absence of symptoms and it could indeed directly or indirectly compromise quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the characteristics of swallowing after total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy with pharyngeal T closure, correlating them with the Quality of Life in Swallowing Disorders questionnaire.


METHODS
A prospective evaluation was performed in 28 patients; fifteen undergoing total laryngectomy and thirteen undergoing total pharyngolaryngectomy. Swallowing was evaluated through videofluoroscopy regarding the preparatory, oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, and the quality of life related to swallowing questionnaire was employed to measure quality of life.


RESULTS
Anatomical and functional changes were observed under videofluoroscopic evaluation. Dysphagia was diagnosed in 18 patients (64.3%), being mild in 66.6% and moderate/severe in 33.3%. The questionnaire indicated good quality of life in almost all scales. Complaints of dysphagia were associated to the burden (p=0.036) and mental health scale (p=0.031). The questionnaire indicated impact on the mental health scale for patients with severe dysphagia (p=0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
High incidence of dysphagia was observed in some quality of life assessments, especially of mild degree.
Graduate Program in Health Sciences - Hospital Heliópolis - HOSPHEL, São Paulo, Brazil.
Débora dos Santos
Ddos S
Queija
Juliana Godoy
JG
Portas
Rogério Aparecido
RA
Dedivitis
Carlos Neutzling
CN
Lehn
Ana Paula Brandão
AP
Barros
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult