Surgical treatment for dysphagia after head and neck cancer treatment

Abstract

Among head and neck cancer survivors with post-treatment and late-onset dysphagia, quality of life （QOL） is often significantly impaired. Although rehabilitation is effective for dysphagia, surgical intervention should be considered in some cases with persistent dysphasia despite rehabilitation. We investigated the pre- and post-treatment swallowing function of surgically treated dysphagia patients after head and neck cancer treatment, and discuss the surgical indications of dysphagia after such treatment.
We surgically treated two cases in whom swallowing function was improved, and one case in whom aspiration was prevented. The surgical indication was made based on physical and social factors. The surgery for improving swallowing function was beneficial in cases 1 and 2, and should be considered even in patients after head and neck cancer treatment. In case 3, the surgery for preventing aspiration was beneficial for the patient with a severe physical and social background. All three patients showed improved oral intake. Swallowing improved earlier in the patient treated with surgery for preventing aspiration than the other patients.
The surgery for improving swallowing function is effective in some cases, however, the surgical procedure should be selected considering physical and social factors.