ABSTRACT
Purpose
to investigate the possible impact of hyoid bone angulation on swallowing safety in patients undergoing supracricoid laryngectomy.
Methods
the case series comprised 13 adults, between 48 and 79 years-old, male in its majority (n=11), within ten months or less post-supracricoid laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy. All volunteers were submitted to videofluroscopy at rest and during swallowing of 5 ml of thin fluid, 5 ml of pureed consistency and dry solid food. Images were captured in lateral view. The hyoid angle was taken at rest and defined by two lines: a tangent to the upper margin of the body of the hyoid bone and a horizontal line, tangent to the lowest point of its lower margin. The aspiration was assessed using the scale developed by Rosenbek et al. (1996).
Results
five cases had silent aspiration and eight had no aspiration. In the group with silent aspiration, only one individual had both arytenoid cartilages preserved, while all individuals had the hyoid bone angle below 60º. In the group without aspiration, five individuals had both cricoarytenoids preserved, while all cases had the average hyoid bone angle above 60º.
Conclusion
the hyoid bone being at an angle greater than 60º seemed to increase the protection of the lower airways, promoting a safer swallowing mechanism.
Keywords:
Deglutition disorders; Hyoid bone; Laryngectomy; Radiology; Rehabilitation
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