Tracheal Tube and Swallowing After Head and Neck Surgery

Summary

The present study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study providing the enrollment of tracheostomized patients undergoing major oncological surgery for head-neck cancer. Aims: * to provide objective data on the bolus transit during swallowing in tracheostomized patients with tracheal tube and without tracheal tube closing directly the tracheal stoma with a plaster, in order to sustain the choice to preserve the TT in dysphagic patients after oncologic surgery for more security during swallowing rehabilitation or adjuvant treatment. * to evaluate the features of swallowing, specifically bolus transit, in patients affected by head and neck cancer who underwent major oncological surgery.

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

* Age \>18 years
* Tracheal tube diameter of 5.0 mm and outside diameter of 9.4 mm
* Tolerance of the tracheal tube capping for almost 48 hours without pathologic desaturation during continue monitoring of SpO2
* Ability to swallow in accordance to the inpatient training program
* Ability to suck with a straw without oral leakage Exclusion criteria
* Previous head and neck radiotherapy
* Patients with nasal tube feeding
* Patients with poor cognition or poor general condition or affected by neurological o other nontumor-related dysphagia
* Patients total laryngectomized
* Patients unable to maintain the orthostatic position

Conditions2

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