Electrical activity of the masseter during swallowing after total laryngectomy.
Total laryngectomy is a surgical procedure that can change swallowing biomechanics, including muscle activity of the masseter; this muscle stabilizes the mandible.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the electrical activity of the masseter muscle during swallowing after total laryngectomy. Series study.


METHODS
An electromyographic evaluation of swallowing was carried out; three different volumes of water (14.5 ml, 20 ml and 100 ml) were swallowed, and there was a rest condition. The electromyographic signal was normalized by Maximum Resisted Voluntary Activity - considered as 100% of electrical activity of muscles. All other values were calculated as a percentage of this parameter.


RESULTS
There is moderate electrical activity of the masseter during swallowing with higher averages on the left. There was no difference between swallowing 14.5 ml or 20 ml. Natural swallowing of 100ml had the lowest average. Electromyographic signals were recorded at rest on both sides, indicating the existence of electric activity in this situation.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients submitted to total laryngectomy present electrical activity of the masseter muscles during swallowing and at rest. This activity is influenced by the volume of swallowed liquid, and showed significant differences among the tasks. Clinical Trials: NCT01095289.
Pernambuco Federal University.
Leandro de Araújo
Lde A
Pernambuco
Hilton Justino da
HJ
Silva
Gerlane Karla Bezerra Oliveira
GK
Nascimento
Elthon Gomes Fernandes da
EG
Silva
Patrícia Maria Mendes
PM
Balata
Veridiana da Silva
Vda S
Santos
Jair Carneiro
JC
Leão
D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged