[The diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia]

The structures in the head and neck are important in respiration, deglutition and communication. The post surgical head and neck cancer patient will probably exhibit a variety of disorders in both speech and swallowing. This study examined swallowing problems in three groups of patients following ablative surgery for pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma: supraglottic laryngectomies, hemilaryngectomies and subtotal laryngectomies. A total of 28 patients were studied. Videofluoroscopic studies with liquid and thick paste were completed one week post initiation of oral feeding following surgery and during the rehabilitation treatment.