Deglutition after supracricoid laryngectomy: compensatory mechanisms and sequelae

This study is based on the videofluorographic exploration of deglutition in 14 patients who were treated by supracricoid laryngectomy. The choice of this population rests on two criteria: a 1-year postoperative delay, and absence of residual deglutition disorders elicited by patient history. Asymptomatic aspiration was seen in 6 cases. In the cricohyoidoepiglottopexies (CHEP), aspiration occurred uniquely in patients who did not recuperate satisfactorily from epiglottic dynamics. The deglutition sequelae are less invalidating relative to the cricohyoidopexies (CHP), with a possible recuperation of the dynamic sequence of the pharyngeal swallow. On the other hand, in the CHP, a complete reorganization of the stepwise sequence of the different neuromuscular events is necessary.