Pharyngeal dysphagia in postesophagectomy patients: Correlation with deglutitive biomechanics

Citation
Cs. Easterling et al., Pharyngeal dysphagia in postesophagectomy patients: Correlation with deglutitive biomechanics, ANN THORAC, 69(4), 2000, pp. 989-992
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY
ISSN journal
00034975 → ACNP
Volume
69
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
989 - 992
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-4975(200004)69:4<989:PDIPPC>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
Background. Because of the transient nature of pharyngeal phase dysphagia, posttranshiatal esophagectomy patients provide a model for studying the cor relation of dysphagic symptoms and aspiration with deglutitive biomechanics . Methods. We studied 8 transhiatal esophagectomy patients (age range, 51 to 78 years) and 8 normal age-matched controls in upright position using later al and anteroposterior (AP) projection videofluoroscopy during three 5 mt b arium swallows. Results. The maximum upper esophageal sphincter (UES) AP diameter and maxim um anterior excursion of the hyoid bone in patients with transhiatal esopha gectomy who experienced aspiration (6.2 +/- 0.6 and 9.0 +/- 2.0 mm, respect ively) were significantly smaller than those of age-matched normal controls (9.4 +/- 0.7 and 17.0 +/- 1.0 mm, respectively). Resolution of aspiration was associated with a significant increase in AP diameter of the UES as wel l as anterior and superior excursion of the hyoid bone (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Dysphagic symptoms and aspiration in posttranshiatal esophagec tomy patients are associated with significant abnormalities of deglutitive biomechanics. Improvement in deglutitive biomechanics is associated with re solution of dysphagic symptoms as well as postdeglutitive aspiration in the se patients. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.