Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze swallowing functions using videofluorographic studies after the surgical treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The study included eighteen tongue cancer and fourteen oropharyngeal cancer patients. We compared the degrees of aspiration with several characteristics. The results showed that the degrees of aspiration increased with the use of a tracheostomy tube, a depressed cough reflex and impaired pharyngeal clearances. Furthermore, the patients had reduced tongue hold within the oral cavity and higher degrees of aspiration. However, no differences were observed between the anterolateral thigh flaps and rectus abdominis flaps used for the reconstruction. In addition to the residual tissues and reconstruction, the preservation of the larynx sensation is important for patients with oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas.
