Andrew Erman

Swallow Preservation Exercises during Chemoradiation Therapy Maintains Swallow Function

Objective To evaluate a swallow preservation protocol (SPP) in which patients received swallow therapy before, during, and after radiation treatment and its efficacy in maintaining swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients. Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Eighty-five patients who received radiation (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT) participated in the SPP from 2007 to 2012. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: compliant and noncompliant with SPP. At each SPP visit, the diet of each patient was recorded as regular (chewable), puree, liquid, or gastrostomy tube (G-tube) dependent, along with their compliance with the swallow exercises. Patients were stratified by age, gender, tumor stage, type of treatment, radiation dose, diet change, dysguesia, odynophagia, pain, and stenosis. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the 2 compliance groups in regards to swallowing-related outcomes at 1 month after completion of therapy. Results Fifty-seven patients were compliant and 28 were noncompliant with SPP during treatment. The compliant group had a higher percentage of patients tolerating a regular diet (54.4% vs 21.4%, P = .008), a lower G-tube dependence (22.8% vs 53.6%, P = .008), and a higher rate of maintaining or improving their diet (54.4% vs 25.0%, P = .025) compared to noncompliant patients. Conclusion A swallow preservation protocol appears to help maintain or improve swallow function in head and neck cancer patients undergoing RT or CRT. Patients who are able to comply with swallow exercises are less likely to worsen their diet, receive a G-tube, or develop stenosis.

Risk factors predicting aspiration after free flap reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects.

OBJECTIVE To determine risk factors predicting early postoperative aspiration in patients after microvascular free flap reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Academic tertiary care referral medical center. PATIENTS The study included 100 patients who underwent resection of oral cavity or oropharyngeal tumors with immediate free flap reconstruction of the defect. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Dysphagia severity was assessed by modified barium swallow study performed within 90 days after surgery to determine the presence or absence of tracheal aspiration. Aspiration risk factors analyzed included age; sex; tumor T and N stage; comorbidity level (American Society of Anesthesiologists classification); preoperative swallowing function; history of tobacco use; surgical approach used for tumor resection; defect classification; type of free flap; history of radiation therapy, surgery, and/or chemotherapy; and surgical defect classification. RESULTS The following risk factors were significant predictors of postoperative aspiration on univariate analysis: prior radiation therapy (P < .001), tongue base resection classification (P = .001), tumor N stage (P < .001), hypoglossal nerve sacrifice (P = .004), and presence of a mandibular osteotomy (P = .01). On multivariate analysis, only a history of radiation therapy (P = .002) and tongue base resection (P = .008) remained statistically significant predictors of aspiration. CONCLUSION Patients with resection of more than half of the tongue base and patients with a history of radiation therapy are at high risk of having early postoperative aspiration after free flap reconstruction.

Improved Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis Sizing in Office-Based Tracheoesophageal Puncture

Objectives: Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) for postlaryngectomy speech is increasingly being performed as an office-based procedure. We review our experience with office-based TEP and compare outcomes with those of operating room—based TEP. Our hypothesis was that office-based TEP results in improved prosthesis sizing, reducing the number of visits dedicated to prosthesis resizing. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent secondary TEP at our institution from 2001 to 2008. The primary dependent measure was the change in the length of the voice prosthesis. We also evaluated the number of visits made to the speech-language pathologist for resizing before a stable prosthesis length was achieved, and the number of days between voice prosthesis placement and the date a stable prosthesis length was observed. Results: Thirty-one patients were included in this study. There was a significant difference in prosthesis length change between patients who had office-based TEP and patients who had operating room—based TEP (p < 0.001). In addition, the office-based cohort required fewer visits to the speech-language pathologist for TEP adjustments before a stable TEP length was achieved (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Voice prosthesis sizing was better in patients who had office-based TEP than in patients who had operating room—based TEP. This outcome is likely due to the lesser degree of swelling of the tracheoesophageal party wall in the office-based procedure.

Office-based tracheoesophageal puncture: updates in techniques and outcomes.

PURPOSE Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is an effective rehabilitation method for postlaryngectomy speech and has already been described as a procedure that is safely performed in the office. We review our long-term experience with office-based TEP over the past 7 years in the largest cohort published to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent TEP by a single surgeon from 2005 through 2012, including office-based and operating room procedures. Indications for the chosen technique (office versus operating room) and surgical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients underwent 72 TEP procedures, with 55 performed in the outpatient setting and 17 performed in the operating room, all without complication. The indications for performing TEPs in the operating room included 2 primary TEPs, 14 due to concomitant procedures requiring general anesthesia, and 1 due to failed attempt at office-based TEP. Nineteen patients with prior rotational or free flap reconstruction successfully underwent office-based TEP. CONCLUSIONS TEP in an office-based setting with immediate voice prosthesis placement continues to be a safe method of voice rehabilitation for postlaryngectomy patients, including those who have previously undergone free flap or rotational flap reconstruction. Office-based TEP is now our primary approach for postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation.

Partial Epiglottoplasty for Pharyngeal Dysphagia due to Cervical Spine Pathology

Objective To examine the role of epiglottoplasty in patients with pharyngeal dysphagia due to pharyngeal crowding from cervical spine pathology and to assess swallowing outcomes following epiglottoplasty. Study Design Retrospective case series. Setting Academic tertiary care medical center. Subjects and Methods Dysphagia can occur in patients with cervical spine pathology because of hypopharyngeal crowding. Swallowing studies, such as modified barium swallow study and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, may demonstrate a nonretroflexing epiglottis owing to cervical spine osteophytes or hardware, thus impeding pharyngeal bolus transit. We performed partial epiglottoplasties in a series of these patients. A retrospective review of swallowing outcomes was performed to assess the efficacy of this surgery in this patient population. Results Epiglottic dysfunction causing dysphagia due to cervical spine pathology was diagnosed by modified barium swallow study and/or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in 12 patients. Findings included hypopharyngeal crowding because of cervical osteophytes (n = 8) or cervical hardware (n = 4) associated with absent epiglottic retroflexion and retained vallecular residue. Partial epiglottoplasty resulted in significant reduction of vallecular residue and a significant increase in functional swallow outcomes without an increase in swallow morbidity. Conclusion There is a role for partial epiglottoplasty in patients with dysphagia attributed to hypopharyngeal crowding from cervical spine pathology. Surgery enables reduced vallecular residue and improved functional swallowing outcomes.

Transoral partial epiglottidectomy to treat dysphagia in post-treatment head and neck cancer patients: a preliminary report.

To determine symptoms and findings in patients with dysphagia related to epiglottic dysfunction. To analyze outcomes in patients who underwent partial epiglottidectomy due to dysphagia related to epiglottic dysfunction.

Maximizing Functional Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: Assessment and Rehabilitation

With increases in survivorship for patients with head and neck cancer, attention is turning to quality-of-life issues for survivors. Care for these patients is multifaceted. Dysphagia and issues of voice/speech, airway obstruction, neck and shoulder dysfunction, lymphedema, and pain control are important to address. Rehabilitation interventions are patient-specific and aim to prevent, restore, compensate, and palliate symptoms and sequelae of treatment for optimal functioning. Central to providing comprehensive interdisciplinary care are the head and neck surgeon, laryngologist, and speech-language pathologist. Routine functional assessment, long-term follow-up, and regular communication and coordination among these specialists helps maximize quality of life in this challenging patient population.

Assessment and Retrieval of Aspirated Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis in the Ambulatory Setting

Tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) is the most common voice restoration method following total laryngectomy. Prosthesis extrusion and aspiration occurs in 3.9% to 6.7% and causes dyspnea. Emergency centers are unfamiliar with management of the aspirated TEP. Prior studies report removal of aspirated TEP prostheses under general anesthesia. Laryngectomees commonly have poor pulmonary function, posing increased risks for complications of general anesthesia. We present a straightforward approach to three cases of aspirated TEP prosthesis removed in the ambulatory setting. In each case, aspirated TEP was diagnosed with flexible bronchoscopy under local anesthesia at the time of consultation, and all prostheses were retrieved atraumatically using a biopsy grasper forceps inserted via the side channel of the bronchoscope. The aspirated TEP prosthesis can be safely and efficiently removed via bedside bronchoscopy.