[Swallowing disorders after partial laryngectomy. Prevalence and predictors].
BACKGROUND
Improvements in surgical techniques have led to a higher percentage of larynx preservations. These do not always include preservation of the swallowing function. This study investigates the prevalence of swallowing disorders after partial laryngectomy and their predictors.


METHODS
In a multicenter cross-sectional study with patients who received a partial laryngectomy (n=154) the prevalences of problems related to swallowing and eating were gathered. Additionally, medical and sociodemographic data were obtained as well as information about alcohol and tobacco consumption.


RESULTS
Twenty percent of the patients had problems related to swallowing and eating; more specifically, eating solid foods and eating in public. Chances of having swallowing disorders were significantly lower for patients who received laser therapy (OR=0.12; 95% CI: 0.04-0.37; p<0.01), when time since the last laryngeal surgery was longer (OR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.75-0.99; p<0.03) and when patients were non-smokers (OR=3.39; 95% CI: 1.29-8.94; p<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Swallowing disorders correlate with post-surgery smoking. Physicians and therapists should focus more on the negative side effects of smoking on swallowing during patient consultations.
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, 3700 McTavish Street, H3A 1Y2, Montreal, Quebec, Kanada. Alexandra.Meyer2@mail.mcgill.ca
A
A
Meyer
A
A
Dietz
D
D
Wollbrück
J
J
Oeken
H
H
Danker
E F
EF
Meister
A
A
Sandner
W
W
Völkel
E
E
Brähler
S
S
Singer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome