Relationship between the size of neopharynx after laryngectomy and long-term swallowing function: an assessment by scintigraphy

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001 Feb;124(2):225-9. doi: 10.1067/mhn.2001.112483.

Abstract

Objectives: To study the relationship between the size of neopharynx after total laryngectomy and long-term swallowing function by means of scintigraphy.

Study design: The width of pharyngeal remnant was measured during surgery in 11 patients. Their swallowing function was assessed by scintigraphy 8 to 10 years after surgery.

Methods: The width of pharyngeal remnant at its narrowest point in both relaxed and stretched state was measured during surgery. Postoperative scintigraphy data on swallowing were obtained and computed along 3 lines, (1) transit time through neopharynx, (2) percentage of bolus transferred, and (3) swallowing efficiency. The relationship between the 2 sets of data was analyzed by linear regression analysis.

Results: (1) No statistically significant relationship was found between the size of neopharynx and swallowing function. (2) All patients are clinically asymptomatic.

Conclusions: The swallowing function is not affected by the size of the neopharynx in 11 patients with pharyngeal remnant width ranging from 3 to 8 cm (stretched).

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / physiopathology
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharynx / physiopathology
  • Radionuclide Imaging / methods