Defective closure of the laryngeal vestibule: frequency of pulmonary complications

Aspiration and its potential complications, bronchopneumonia and other pulmonary diseases, were studied in 67 fully conscious and mobile patients with cineradiographically verified dysfunction of swallowing. They were compared to a group of 67 patients of similar age with normal swallowing. Bronchopneumonia was found in nine (13%) of the patients with aspiration compared to two (3%) of the patients without (p = 0.05). Chronic pulmonary disease was more frequently observed in patients with aspiration than in those without, seven (10%) and one (1.5%), respectively (p = 0.03). Even though pulmonary complications of defective closure of the laryngeal vestibule are not frequent, swallowing training for fully conscious and relatively mobile patients would seem desirable.