Abstract
We studied preoperative swallowing ability of oral cancer patients by videofluorography. We analyzed the relationship between signs in the preoperative videofluorography and amount of tongue resection, age, and postoperative aspiration. We studied 22 early stage patients who were scheduled to undergo hemiglossectomy or partial glossectomy, and 14 advanced stage patients who were scheduled to undergo subtotal glossectomy or total glossectomy. We separated the patients into two groups; the elder group (over 60 years old) and the younger group (under 60 years old). During the preoperative videofluorography, we observed some signs of oral phase dysfunction (residue in the oral cavity, multiple swallowing) more often in the advanced stage patients than in the early stage patients, and we observed some signs of pharyngeal phase dysfunction (residue in the vallecula and residue in the pyriform sinus) more often in the elder group. Among the early stage patients, postsurgical aspiration were observed more often in the elder group patients. This videofluorography analysis shows that oral cancer patients already have some swallowing dysfunction prior to surgery. This swallowing dysfunction is influenced not only by the tumor but also by aging. Therefore, we recommend videofluorograohv analysis before oral surgery.
