Swallowing ability and chronic aspiration after supracricoid partial laryngectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Sporadic episodes of aspiration may occur after supracricoid partial laryngectomy. To prevent risks of pulmonary consequences, a limitation of oral intake of food or a "nothing by mouth" regimen has been suggested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term swallowing and pulmonary status of patients after supracricoid partial laryngectomy.


METHODS
Case series with chart review.


METHODS
Tertiary University Hospital Policlinico "Umberto I" and Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.


METHODS
The swallowing status of a selected group of 116 patients who recovered functional deglutition after supracricoid partial laryngectomy was analyzed during follow-up consultation. Swallowing evaluation included clinical observation, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and a videofluoroscopy. When aspiration was confirmed by videofluoroscopy, a high-resolution computed tomography (CT) of the chest was performed in order to assess the radiological manifestations of aspiration. A group of 45 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and normal deglutition was used as a control.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine patients out of 116 showed a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing suggestive for aspiration; only 45 patients had aspiration confirmed by videofluoroscopy. No significant differences in radiological findings were noted in the patients affected by postoperative chronic aspiration compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with functional deglutition after supracricoid partial laryngectomy show a mild and well-tolerated degree of chronic aspiration and do not require a limitation of oral intake of food.
Simonelli
Marilia
M
The Speech and Swallowing Rehabilitation Service, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Ruoppolo
Giovanni
G
de Vincentiis
Marco
M
Di Mario
Marco
M
Calcagno
Paola
P
Vitiello
Cecilia
C
Manciocco
Valentina
V
Pagliuca
Giulio
G
Gallo
Andrea
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology