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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Quality of life in patients treated with PDMS injection for swallowing disorders
Gabriele Molteni1, Angelo Ghidini, Giuseppe Bergamini
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy. gabriele.molteni@yahoo.it
Objective:
To document the efficacy of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) injections in patients with swallowing disorders after partial supracricoid laryngectomy; to assess the importance of quality-of-life (QOL) outcome in oncologic patients.
Subjects And Methods:
The study included 11 patients with swallowing disorders after partial laryngectomy and appropriate rehabilitation. They were treated with endoscopic injection of PDMS; QOL was investigated with four questionnaires (M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer, Performance Karnofsky Scale, and Voice Handicap Index-10) before and after surgical treatment and further rehabilitation.
Results:
A significant improvement in QOL of all 11 patients was seen after endoscopic injection. The impact of this treatment on the social life of patients was considerable.
Conclusion:
Swallowing disorders and speech problems are quite common complications of partial laryngectomy. QOL in oncologic patients is a mandatory outcome measure. PDMS injection showed an improvement in the everyday life of selected patients.
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