Recovery pattern analysis of swallowing function in patients undergoing total glossectomy and hemiglossectomy

To investigate the recovery process of swallowing function and ascertain swallowing pattern in patients undergoing total glossectomy (TG).

A cohort study was conducted in consecutive patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma who received TG/hemiglossectomy (HG) from May 2017 to December 2019. Exposure factors included tongue resection range (HG and TG) and postoperative radiotherapy (PRT and non-PRT). The swallowing functions were evaluated by M.D. Anderson dysphagia inventory (MDADI), water swallow test (WST), and tongue pressure (TP) at pretreatment, 1, 4, 7, 12, 18 and 24 months postoperatively. Videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VFSS) was applied to analyze swallowing pattern of TG patients.

A total of 67 patients were enrolled, of which 17 underwent TG and 50 underwent HG. Both MDADI and TP of the TG and PRT group were lower than those of the HG and non-PRT group. TG patients had no evident improvement in MDADI and TP after surgery. There was a higher risk of swallowing unsafety with abnormal WST outcome in TG (P < 0.001, OR = 106.52) than that in HG. VFSS analysis identified prolonged oral and pharyngeal transit time, disorganized swallowing sequence, abnormal hyoid bone movement, and frequent invalid swallows in patients with TG. A shortened OTT (<5066.50 ms) and a larger pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR > 0.31) were associated with increased risks of penetration and aspiration.

Postoperative swallowing pattern is a characteristic of severely impaired safety and efficacy in patients with TG. Impaired OTT and PCR are variables that should be examined when determining the need for rehabilitation treatment.