ABSTRACT Purpose: the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between patient-reported swallowing disorders and common mental disorders after total laryngectomy. Methods: fourteen patients of both genders and aged 66 ± 8.63 years were assessed after total laryngectomy. They were all asked about the perception of swallowing disorders and answered the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Patients with swallowing complaints also answered the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory. The mean difference between groups was evaluated using the Mann-Whitney test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: the median of Self-Reporting Questionnaire total score was 3.00 [interquartile range: 0.00-5.00] and did not reflect the presence of common mental disorders. Five volunteers (35.7%) self-reported swallowing disorders and had a worse, although not significant (p = 0.15), performance on the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. The MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory indicated a limitation in the quality of life, with a greater impact of swallowing disorders in the emotional domain [median = 53.30; interquartile range: 33.30-74.95]. Conclusion: common mental disorders are not related to patient-reported swallowing disorders following total laryngectomy. However, patients with swallowing complaints had a negative impact on their quality of life, especially in the emotional domain.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a ocorrência dos sintomas sensoriais em pacientes pré e pós-tireoidectomia. Método Tratou-se de um estudo prospectivo, quantitativo e descritivo. Participaram 12 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia, que realizaram exame visual laríngeo e responderam aos questionários de Vias Aéreas Digestivas Superior e Escala de Desconforto do Trato Vocal pré e pós-cirurgia. Resultados Houve maior ocorrência de fadiga vocal, rouquidão, sensação de bolo na garganta, garganta seca e pigarro no pré-operatório. Houve maior ocorrência de rouquidão, fadiga, pigarro e sensação de bolo na garganta no pós-operatório. Quanto aos sintomas sensoriais de desconforto do trato vocal, no pré-operatório, houve maior frequência e intensidade de secura e, no pós-operatório, maior frequência de coceira e maior intensidade de garganta irritada, sensível e bola na garganta. Houve redução do sintoma de engasgo e da frequência/intensidade do sintoma de secura na garganta pré e pós-tireoidectomia. Em relação à frequência/intensidade dos sintomas sensoriais de desconforto do trato vocal, em ambos os momentos, houve redução da secura. Conclusão Os pacientes apresentam sintomas sensoriais de vias aéreas digestivas superiores e de desconforto do trato vocal tanto no pré quanto no pós-operatório, caracterizados pela autorreferência de rouquidão, fadiga vocal, sensação de bola na garganta e pigarro, assim como secura, garganta irritada, garganta sensível e bola na garganta. Houve redução na referência dos sintomas sensoriais de engasgo e frequência/intensidade de secura pós-tireoidectomia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the occurrence of sensory symptoms in thyroidectomy patients pre- and post-operatively. Methods This is a prospective, quantitative, descriptive study conducted with a sample of twelve patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The participants underwent visual laryngeal examination and responded to the Upper Aerodigestive Symptoms (UADS) and Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTDS) questionnaires before and after the surgery. Results There was higher occurrence of vocal fatigue, hoarseness, pharyngeal bolus, dry throat, and throat clearing preoperatively, whereas higher occurrence of hoarseness, vocal fatigue, cough, and pharyngeal bolus was observed postoperatively for the UADS. Regarding the VTDS sensory symptoms, higher frequency and severity of throat dryness were observed preoperatively, whereas more frequent tickling throat and more severe irritable and sore throat and lump in the throat were observed postoperatively. There was reduction in the choke symptom and in the frequency and severity of the throat dryness symptom pre- and post-operatively. With respect to the frequency and severity of vocal tract discomfort sensory symptoms, reduction in throat dryness was observed at both assessment times. Conclusion The patients presented sensory symptoms of upper aerodigestive tract and vocal tract discomfort pre- and post-operatively characterized by self-reference of hoarseness, vocal fatigue, pharyngeal bolus, and cough, as well as dry, sore, and irritable throat. Reduction in the sensory symptom of choke and in the frequency and severity of throat dryness was self-reported by thyroidectomy patients postoperatively.