Prevalence and associated factors of aspiration and severe dysphagia in asymptomatic patients in the late period after open partial laryngectomy: a videofluoroscopic evaluation

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate late and asymptomatic patients after open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL), investigating the clinical–surgical and socio-demographic factors associated with aspiration and severe dysphagia. Methods One-thousand videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed in 100 asymptomatic patients in the late period after OPHL(median 6.5 years). Aspiration and severe dysphagia were, respectively, assessed by the Penetration-Aspiration scale (PAS) and by the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) classification. Associated factors were investigated by multivariate logistic regressions. Results 34% (95% CI 24.3–47.6%) of patients presented aspiration and 23% (95% CI 15.3–34.6%) had severe or life-threatening dysphagia (DIGEST grades 3–4). On logistic regression, the presence of aspiration was associated with lower preoperative serum albumin (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22; 95% CI 0.07–0.64; p = 0.005, for each 1 g/dL increment); a greater weight loss in early postoperative period (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.05–1.35; p = 0.008, for each 1 kg loss); older age at surgery (OR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.01–1.17, for each 1-year older); and with the presence of diabetes (OR: 5.16; 95% CI 1.09–27.47; p = 0.039). Conclusion Deglutition abnormalities are frequent in asymptomatic patients later after OPHL. Older patients, with lower preoperative serum albumin levels, with greater postoperative weight loss, and with diabetes compose the clinical profile at risk for having worse swallowing function in the late period after OPHL.