Surgical Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Airway Aspiration in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
- Author:
Min Kwan BAEK
1
;
Dong Young KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Gachon University School of Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea. hndyk@gilhospital.com
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Aspiration;
Prevention;
Treatment;
Head and neck neoplasms
- MeSH:
Deglutition;
Deglutition Disorders;
Dyspnea;
Head and Neck Neoplasms;
Head;
Humans;
Joints;
Methods;
Oropharynx;
Pneumonia;
Quality of Life;
Reflex
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology Phoniatrics and Logopedics
2018;29(1):9-13
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Postoperative airway aspiration is not uncommon in patients with head and neck cancer. Airway aspiration has serious consequences, such as swallowing disorders, nutrition-related health problem, or reducing the quality of life due to maintenance of tracheal or nasogastric tubes. The postoperative oropharyngeal defect due to the surgery may interfere with normal swallowing reflex, or the laryngeal dysfunction caused by radiation therapy may cause severe airway aspiration, which may lead to complications such as dyspnea and pneumonia. Complete removal of the disease is also important in the treatment of head and neck cancer, but it is necessary to select a method to avoid and predict the occurrence of airway aspiration according to the treatment method. The most important factor to prevent airway aspiration after surgery is to preserve the proper volume of the oropharynx and to preserve at least one of the cricoarytenoid joint function. It is also the most effective way to reduce additional complications by seeking appropriate surgical treatment according to airway aspiration status. The purpose of this study is to review the operative methods that can induce airway aspiration and consider the prevention and treatment strategy through review of the literature.
