Increased Pharyngeal Reflux in Patients Treated for Laryngeal Cancer: A Pilot Study. (25th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LeBlanc, Blake; Lewis, Ellen; Caldito, Gloria; Nathan, Cherie‐Ann O.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 153:Number 5(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 791
• Page End: 794
• Publication Date: 2015-08-25
• Subjects: laryngopharyngeal reflux -- total laryngectomy; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599815601026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Laryngopharyngeal reflux may cause significant morbidity in the head and neck cancer population. The goal was to determine if pharyngeal reflux is increased as a result of treatment for laryngeal cancer. Study Design: A prospective clinical trial. Setting: Tertiary care center. Subjects: Head and neck cancer patients treated at LSU Health–Shreveport with a plan for total laryngectomy. Methods: Pharyngeal pH probes with resultant reflux scores were utilized in patients with laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer with a plan for total laryngectomy. Results: Twenty‐four patients were enrolled, of whom 10 underwent postlaryngectomy pH probe monitoring. The mean upright Ryan score for patients with prior radiotherapy was 238.4 (n = 8), compared with 22.0 (n = 16) in those without prior radiotherapy ( P =. 02). The supine score was 12.7 in the radiotherapy group and 2.7 in those without radiotherapy ( P =. 12). For those who completed the postlaryngectomy pH study (n = 10), the mean preoperative upright Ryan score was 106.32 ± 279.1 versus a postoperative score of 209.0 ± 352.6 ( P =. 04). The mean supine preoperative Ryan score in this group was 3.9 ± 3.47, as opposed to 8.1 ± 9.6 postoperatively ( P =. 13) Conclusions: This study suggests that treatment of laryngeal cancer may increase the incidence of pharyngeal reflux. Consider screening for reflux in patients previously treated for laryngeal cancer.