The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the “chin-down” maneuver on the swallowing function. Ten normal volunteers were examined with videofluorography and manometry in both the neutral and the “chin-down” positions. The effect of this maneuver on the pharyngeal dimensions, hyoid motion, bolus flow, and manometric pressures at the base of tongue (BOT) was evaluated using 5ml of barium.
The “chin-down” maneuver significantly decreased the distance between the epiglottic tip and the posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW); the distance between the epiglottis and the arytenoid; the vallecular angle; the duration of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening; and the duration of the anterior hyoid movement. The “chin-down” maneuver increased the epiglotto-tracheal angle; the duration of laryngeal closure; the duration of the BOT-PPW contact; the duration of the hyoid rest period in a maximal excursion; the maximum diameter between the anterior and the posterior wall of the UES; the peak pressure at the BOT; the duration of the pressure wave at the BOT; and the area under the curve of contraction at the BOT.
These results show that the “chin-down” maneuver advances airway protection, UES opening and the propelling force at the BOT during swallowing in normal volunteers. This maneuver may have a therapeutic value for treatment of dysphagic patients.
