SWALLOWING AND LARYNGEAL COMPLICATIONS IN LUNG AND HEART TRANSPLANTATION: ETIOLOGIES AND DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Abstract Despite continued surgical advancements in the field of cardiothoracic transplantation, post-operative complications remain a burden for the patient and the multidisciplinary team. Lesser known complications including swallowing disorders (dysphagia) and voice disorders (dysphonia) are now being reported. Such disorders are known to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in other medical populations, however their etiology amongst the heart and lung transplant populations has received little attention in the literature. This paper explores the potential mechanisms of oropharyngeal dysphagia and dysphonia following transplantation and discusses optimal modalities of diagnostic evaluation and management. A greater understanding of the implications of swallowing and laryngeal dysfunction in the heart and lung transplant populations is important to expedite early diagnosis and management in order to optimise patient outcomes, minimise allograft injury and improve quality of life.