Relationship between the Size of Neopharynx after Laryngectomy and Long-Term Swallowing Function: An Assessment by Scintigraphy

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).