HIGH-INCIDENCE OF GASTROPHARYNGEAL AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AFTER TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY

Background. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) appears to be related to lar yngeal carcinoma. Little is known about GER and gastropharyngeal reflu x (GPR) in the laryngectomized patient. Therefore, GER and GPR were st udied in laryngectomized patients. Methods. In 11 patients, 24-hour do uble-probe pH monitoring was performed in an ambulant setting. An opti c fiberscope was used for the accurate positioning of the proximal pro be in the upper esophageal sphincter. Results. In 9 of 11 patients pat hologic GPR was found. Four of these 9 patients had reflux in upright and supine position, 5 patients had reflux only in upright position. C onclusions. A high incidence of GPR in laryngectomized patients was fo und. These results raise the question whether all laryngectomized pati ents should be investigated for reflux and in the presence of patholog ic reflux findings should be treated with reflux prophylaxis. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.