Effectiveness of speech therapy in patients with facial paralysis after parotidectomy

The goal of this research was to verify the effectiveness of speech therapy in patients with facial paralysis due to the manipulation of the cranial nerve VII performed during surgical treatment for neoplasm of the parotid gland, as well as to identify alterations of suction, chewing and swallowing and promote development of phoniatrics. This was a qualitative survey with descriptive analysis. The evaluation consisted of analysis of the patient's face at rest and in motion, photographic documentation, use of digital caliper for quantification of facial paralysis in addition to evaluation of the functions of stomatognathic system. Speech therapy service was defined according to the findings of the evaluation and followed the needs of each individual. In the evaluation at rest after the speech therapy there was improvement in all aspects in four patients. In the evaluation in motion three patients showed better movements of the skin with increase of number and depth of wrinkles. In photographic record all patients had significant improvement in the movements evaluated, it was possible to observe an increase in expression lines and greater symmetry between hemifaces. The values of the incompetence of motion measured after speech therapy showed noticeable improvement in all measured points. Speech therapy service proposed for cases of facial paralysis after parotidectomy was effective for the improvement of facial mimic, especially for changes in stomatognathic functions. It's important to stress the need for further studies involving a larger number of participants to ensure the reliability of the findings.

Neoplasm; Parotid Gland; Facial Paralysis; Speech Therapy