Diagnostics and Basic Principles of Dysphagia Therapy after Resection of Oropharyngeal Region Tumors
Abstract
Log-term disorders of swallowing in patients after resection surgery in oropharyngeal region and subsequent radiotherapy or chemotherapy are encountered in about 50% of patients (7). The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive view of the possibilities of their examination and rehabilitation.
Due to the fact that majority of extensive resections in this region is performed for malignant neoplasms, this article is focused mainly on the specifics of rehabilitation of this spectrum of patients and the possibility of affecting the effects of radiotherapy. The most frequent causes of swallowing disorders after surgery in the oropharyngeal region lie in the absence of resected parts of the swallowing tract, disorders of innervation in perioperative damage to nervous nerve supply, transposition of individual parts f the swallowing tract with subsequent change of their function, consequences of postoperative cicatrices or post-irradiation changes.
The controversial causes of swallowing disorders include tracheostomy cannula.