Characterizing Long-Term Swallowing and Voice Outcomes Following Anterior Transcervical Approach

(1) Assess the frequency and severity of long-term swallowing and voice complaints, follow-up care, risk factors for the development of long-term swallowing and voice complications in patients who underwent anterior transcervical approach (ACA). (2) Determine incidence of long-term swallowing and voice complications requiring follow-up otolaryngologic care and assess the frequency of otolaryngologic follow-up for postoperative swallowing and voice complaints.

Retrospective cohort study of patients between January 2017 and March 2020 who underwent ACA. Demographic information, data from preoperative evaluation, operative records, and data from postoperative visits were collected. Patients were contacted to complete the Eating Assessment Tool and the "Impairment" subset of the Voice Symptoms Scale.

A total of 48 patients (10.6%) followed up with a head and neck surgeon for swallowing complaints and 31 patients (6.8%) for voice complaints. Otolaryngology follow-up for swallowing complaints among patients with at least 3 and 12 months of follow-up was 16.4% and 17.8%, respectively. Otolaryngology follow-up for voice complaints among patients with at least 3 and 12 months of follow-up was 11.7% and 11.9%, respectively. Swallowing function was abnormal in 40.7% at least 3 months after surgery and in 41.8% 12 months after. Voice function was abnormal in 55.7% of respondents at least 3 months after surgery and in 54.5% of respondents 12 months after.

ACA is associated with otolaryngologic complications that include dysphagia and dysphonia. This study demonstrates that long-term swallowing and voice dysfunction appear to persist longer than what is noted by patient utilization of follow-up otolaryngologic care.

4 Laryngoscope, 134:3201-3205, 2024.