[Video fluoroscopy of the swallowing act following partial supraglottic laryngectomy]

Videofluoroscopy of swallowing was performed in 21 patients who had undergone partial horizontal laryngectomy. Food residues were present in most of these patients. Residues of liquid contrast were observed in 85.7% of the patients and residues of consistent contrast in 61.5% of the patients. In most cases, food remnants were to be found in the glossolaryngeal recess. The mechanisms of compensation, additional swallowing, and expiration after swallowing are an important factor in clearing the throat of any residual food. Impaired clearing of food residues results in aspiration. Aspiration of liquid contrast was observed in 76.2% of the patients and aspiration of consistent contrast in 19.1% of the patients (p less than 0.001). Aspiration after swallowing was observed in most of the patients.