DYSPHAGIA FOLLOWING TUMOR SURGERY IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND HYPOPHARYNX - AN ANALYSIS BY VIDEOFLUOROSCOPY

Dysphagia is a common complaint following surgical intervention in the oral cavity and hypopharynx, often leading to prolonged postoperative recovery. Videofluoroscopy allows detailed Visualization of deglutiti on, demonstrating the morphology as well as the functional aspects. Th erefore, videofluoroscopy provides the basis for further therapeutic m anagement, We discuss the pathology of deglutition in 19 patients reco vering from tumor surgery of the ore-and hypopharynx. In most cases th e results demonstrated severe impairment of both the oral and pharynge al phase of deglutition. Our data emphasize the importance of the oral phase of deglutition for preparation and initiation of the following phases.