Investigation of swallowing function and swallowing-related quality of life after partial laryngectomy in Chinese patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Background: Swallowing function and swallowing-related quality of life (QoL) can be adversely affected in patients after partial laryngectomy, but are often neglected by patients and clinical workers. This study aimed to investigate the degree of swallowing function and swallowing-related QoL after partial laryngectomy in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Sixty-eight hospitalized patients undergoing partial laryngectomy due to laryngeal carcinoma at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University were included in this prospective study. A general information questionnaire was used to collect baseline characteristics. The water swallow test and swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) were carried out the day before surgery and at 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after surgery.

Results: Swallowing dysfunction occurred in 1 case (1.5%) the day before surgery and in 49 (72.1%), 44 (64.7%), 33 (49.3%), 19 (28.4%) and 8 (11.9%) cases at 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after surgery, respectively. Mean SWAL-QOL total scores were 4266.3 ± 232.0 the day before surgery, and 1992.9 ± 1062.4, 2473.9 ± 962.9, 3169.2 ± 753.6, 3696.7 ± 718.3 and 3910.8 ± 1510.4 at 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively. SWAL-QOL total scores increased gradually after operation, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between postoperative 24 and 48 weeks (P = 0.379).

Conclusions: Partial laryngectomy affects swallowing function and swallowing-related QoL in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. While swallowing function and swallowing-related QoL increase gradually over time, in some patients, nearly a year after surgery they are not fully restored. Therefore, attention should be paid during postoperative nursing to improve swallowing function.