Evaluation of swallowing disorders of post-operative oral cancer patients by departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Japan

-A questionnaire survey-

Abstract

It is well known that the surgical procedures for oral cancer may adversely affect the swallowing function. However, there has been no detailed evaluation of swallowing disorders among post-operative oral cancer patients.
This report describes a questionnaire survey of 372 institutions on the assessment and examination for swallowing disorders among post-operative oral cancer patients. The purpose is to make an evaluation standard for oral and maxillofacial surgeons and to make it possible to give feedback to patients.
Out of 194, 178 institutions (85.6%) stated that detailed evaluation of post-operative oral cancer patients is necessary.