Swallowing Rehabilitation Affects Period of Hospitalization after Surgery for Tongue Cancer

Abstract

Functional rehabilitation has been reported to improve swallowing. The effect of the presence or absence of such rehabilitation has yet to be compared in oral cancer patients, however. The purpose of this study was to investigate its effect on correlations between the period of hospitalization and the period of tube feeding (from the day of surgery to termination of tube feeding) and period of oral nutrition (from termination of tube feeding to discharge). Body weight was also measured on admission and discharge and the difference calculated. A correlation was observed between period of hospitalization and period of tube feeding in the rehabilitation group, and with the periods of tube feeding and oral nutrition in the non-rehabilitation group. In the rehabilitation group, the period of tube feeding appeared to affect period of hospitalization. On the other hand, termination of tube feeding did not tend to affect period of hospitalization. These results suggest that both periods were factors affecting period of hospitalization in the non-rehabilitation group. Not performing swallowing rehabilitation, therefore, resulted in the period of oral nutrition affecting the period of hospitalization. This suggests that it is essential that nutrients be ingested in moderation after termination of tube feeding, when they are only taken orally. Moreover, these results also indicate that rehabilitation is important in improving quality of life after discharge.

Early swallowing intervention after free flap reconstruction for oral cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…As a result, postoperative swallowing rehabilitation is still an important problem for these patients 25,26 . At present, the benefits of early swallowing intervention are supported by a large amount of evidence, 12,13 such as reducing the degree of aspiration, penetration and pharyngeal residue, 27 shortening the indwelling time of nasogastric tube, 28 and improving patients' nutritional status 14 and quality of life 29 . It is also beneficial in patients with oral cancer after free flap reconstruction 6,15,18,22 .…”

“…[9][10][11] In recent years, more studies have advocated that early swallowing intervention should be used as a means to improve functional outcomes for the patients after surgery and before radiotherapy, thus certain effects can be achieved. 12,13 Early postoperative swallowing intervention helps patients recover faster and better in swallowing function, thus facilitates safe oral intake and adequate nutrition, 6,14,15 which is significant for patients' subsequent treatment and quality of life. 5,9,16 Different from local resection of oral cancer, there are risks of complications at the recipient site, such as wound dehiscence, bleeding, fistula, thrombosis, and even flap failure in the early postoperative period after free flap reconstruction.…”

Factors Affecting the Swallowing Dysfunction Following Oral Cancer Surgery

“…In this study, the average duration from oral cancer surgery to VF examination was 25.3 days (range, 6–134 days; median, 22.0 days). Swallowing function after oral cancer surgeries may be altered over time by flap volume and swallowing rehabilitation interventions [ 28 ]. It is important to note that there is no evaluation in the long-term follow-up postoperatively.…”