Impact of a laryngectomy and surgical closure technique on swallow biomechanics and dysphagia severity

Abstract

Objective. The incidence of self-reported dysphagia following a laryngectomy is high (72%). The impact, if any, of a surgical closure technique on swallowing biomechanics and dysphagia severity is not known. To date, there is no recommended standard procedure for pharyngeal reconstruction during laryngectomy surgery. The aim of this study was to determine how laryngectomy surgery alters swallowing biomechanics, pharyngeal peak deglutitive pressure, and hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressures and whether these changes in pressure correlate with specific surgical closure after total laryngectomy or with dysphagia severity. Study Design. Combined videoradiography and manometry was used to measure p..