Assessing Tongue Strength and Swallowing Function Following Hyoid Bone Resection Surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Swallowing Disorders
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• The tongue and hyoid bone are critical for the oral phase of swallowing.
• Hyoid bone resection is performed for various conditions, potentially affecting oral function.
• Assessing the impact of hyoid bone surgery on tongue function and swallowing is important for patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate tongue strength and endurance in patients following hyoid bone resection.
• To assess swallowing function in patients who underwent hyoid bone resection surgery.
• To compare outcomes between post-Sistrunk procedure and post-total laryngectomy patients.

Main Methods:

• An experimental, non-randomized trial included 26 participants (10 post-Sistrunk, 16 post-total laryngectomy).
• Tongue strength and endurance were measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI).
• Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was used for the post-Sistrunk group.

Main Results:

• Average tongue strength was 40.8 ± 11.7 kPa; average endurance was 30.6 ± 13.2 s.
• No significant difference in tongue strength was found between post-Sistrunk and post-total laryngectomy groups (P = .153).
• Significant difference in tongue strength observed between males and females (P = .001); FEES showed no objective swallowing abnormalities in the post-Sistrunk group.

Conclusions:

• Partial or total hyoid bone resection did not significantly impair tongue strength.
• Swallowing functions were not significantly affected by hyoid bone resection.
• Gender appears to influence tongue strength more than hyoid bone resection type.