Abstract
BackgroundThe latency of the swallowing reflex is an important factor causing dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. Although there are many reports comparing voluntary swallowing function before and after treatment, few studies have focused on the latency of the swallowing reflex, which is a risk factor for pneumonia due to silent aspiration. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the changes in the latency of the swallowing reflex before and after treatment.MethodsThe latency of the swallowing reflex was quantified using the time from the injection of 1 ml of distilled water into the pharynx through a nasal catheter to the onset of swallowing.ResultsThe latency time of the swallowing reflex was significantly decreased 3 months after treatment compared to before treatment. A significant reduction was also observed in patients with pharyngeal cancer who underwent chemoradiation therapy.ConclusionsThis retrospective study showed that a delayed swallowing reflex improved with treatment in advanced head and neck cancer patients.Trial registrationThe Institutional Review Board of Tohoku University Hospital (Number 2014–1-274).
Highlights
The latency of the swallowing reflex is an important factor causing dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients
The mechanisms of dysphagia resulting from treatment of advanced head and neck cancer are various, such as reduced tongue base retraction, reduced laryngeal elevation, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, and a delayed swallowing reflex [3, 4]
Assessment of the latency of the swallowing reflex was performed before flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, which was performed as standard practice for all patients with advanced head and neck cancer after they provided their written, informed consent
Summary
The latency of the swallowing reflex is an important factor causing dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. There are many reports comparing voluntary swallowing function before and after treatment, few studies have focused on the latency of the swallowing reflex, which is a risk factor for pneumonia due to silent aspiration. The mechanisms of dysphagia resulting from treatment of advanced head and neck cancer are various, such as reduced tongue base retraction, reduced laryngeal elevation, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, and a delayed swallowing reflex [3, 4]. Both a delayed swallowing reflex and reduced elevation of the larynx are reported to be independent risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in head and neck cancer patients [5]. A retrospective study of patients with advanced head and neck cancer was conducted to clarify the changes of the latency of the swallowing reflex from before to after treatment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
