Rehabilitation of Swallowing with Polydimethylsiloxane Injections in Patients who underwent Partial Laryngectomy

BACKGROUND: We conducted this longitudinal prospective study to illustrate a surgical technique for swallowing rehabilitation of patients after partial laryngectomy. METHODS: Nine patients with persistent swallowing impairment after partial laryngectomy were included in the study. Evaluation of swallowing was performed by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and was quantified using 2 scales: a dysphagia score and a modified penetration-aspiration scale. The site of bolus inhalation was identified. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was injected into the neoglottis to fill these passages, and to obtain a certain continence of the organ. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 5-39). All patients showed an improvement both in the dysphagia score and in the modified penetration-aspiration scale. Average improvement was 2.6 points in the dysphagia score (p = .0042) and 2.1 points in the modified penetration-aspiration scale (p = .0043). CONCLUSION: PDMS injection can be considered as an option in surgical rehabilitation of swallowing in patients who underwent partial laryngectomy.