Abstract
We report a case of a severe dysphagia patient who, after an operation for the removal of a malignant tumor of the floor of the mouth, received balloon dilatation.
The tumor removal operation was performed by an oral surgeon in our hospital. The patient was referred to our department for detailed examination and treatment for severe dysphagia after the operation. At the first examination, dysfunction of mastication, food propulsion, laryngeal elevation and cricopharyngeal opening were observed. Therefore, his nutrition was changed from N-G tube to intermittent oral catheterization, and balloon dilatation was started. After 3 weeks of training, the pharyngeal residue after swallowing decreased, and the laryngeal elevation and cricopharyngeal opening improved. Then, he could start to take rice gruel and paste food and balloon dilatation was terminated. One year and three months later, the cricopharyngeal opening and swallowing pressure were decreased, but there was no pharyngeal residue after swallowing. We suggest that balloon dilatation is effective to improve the cricopharyngeal opening for the patients after the operation for the removal of the malignant tumor of the floor of the mouth. We noted that cricopharyngeal opening dysfunction did not recur in this case.
