Clinical study on dysphagia after oral cancer surgery in our department

Abstract

The swallowing function is greatly affected by the degree of progression and extent of resection of oral cancer, while dysphagia affects the quality of life of patients. Eighty-five patients who underwent surgery for oral cancer at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fukuoka University Hospital from March 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively reviewed and reported. The comparison of data obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day 30 revealed a significant increase in the number of patients with dysphagia, significantly prolonged LEDT, and significantly decreased laryngeal elevation distance. The stage was Stage IV, T classification was T3 or higher, and the dysphagia group was significantly higher in the floor of the oral cavity. The number of patients with dysphagia was significantly increased among patients who received mandibulectomy, and patients who underwent resection of more than half of the movable part of the tongue, tracheostomy, reconstructive surgery, or cervical dissection. The duration of tube feeding exceeded 120 days in 3 patients. All other patients completed tube feeding within 60 days. Early removal and replacement are important because the risk of aspiration increases as the duration of tube feeding increases, and gastrostomy should be considered early for patients who are expected to require tube feeding for a prolonged period.