Tracheotomy tube occlusion status and aspiration in early postsurgical head and neck cancer patients

The purpose of the present study was to investigate tracheotomy tube occlusion status and prevalence of aspiration utilizing videofluoroscopy. A prospective study was done of 16 consecutive, early, postsurgical head and neck cancer patients with tracheotomy. Selection criteria included the ability to tolerate tracheotomy tube occlusion prior to and during the modified barium swallow procedure, oral and/or pharyngeal surgical resection, no history of neurological disease or stroke, and medical clearance to begin oral feeding. There was 100% agreement among the independent reviewers on ratings of the presence or absence of aspiration. It was found that occlusion status of the tracheotomy tube did not influence the prevalence of aspiration in the immediate postoperative period. No trends were observed when comparing bolus consistency, type of tracheotomy tube, or presence/absence of a nasogastric tube and the ratings of aspiration.