Analysis of videofluoroscopic variables affecting swallowing safety and efficiency in ophl patients

Open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL) could represent a valuable alternative to total laryngectomy for selected laryngeal carcinoma. In long-term, occasional aspiration ranges from 12.9 to 67% after OPHL [1]. Rate of aspiration pneumonia can reach the 21.7% [2]. Main causes of swallowing impairment vary from a defective glottic closure to a reduced upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening. At the present time, only one study analysed spatial and temporal videofluoroscopic variables to evaluate factors affecting postoperative aspiration. No studies before have compared videofluoroscopic variables between OPHL patients with and without dysphagia.