Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Removable partial prosthesis combined with swallowing training is an efficient clinical solution for oral cancer post-operation patients with palatal defect and dysphagia: a prospective study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Clinical Oral Investigations Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Dysphagia is one of the major complications of oral cancer patients, and is disturbing thousands of patients worldwide. Our study aim to evaluate the clinical efficacy of prosthesis combined with swallowing training on palatal defect and dysphagia in post-operative oral cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Sixteen oral cancer patients with palatal defect and dysphagia post-operation were treated with removable prosthesis and individualized swallowing function training. Swallowing function of patients before and after treatment was analyzed and compared by videofluoroscopic swallowing examination. The severity of depression and life quality were evaluated by Depression Scale (SDS) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) scores, respectively.

Results

Oral transit time (OTT) significantly shortened after treatment (P < 0.01), and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores was significantly higher after treatment (P < 0.001). Different consistency bolus showed different risk of aspiration. Thickened liquids were related to lower PAS scores (P < 0.001). SDS standard score was significantly lower after treatment (P < 0.05). The total score of FACT-H&N after treatment was significantly higher (P < 0.05). No patients came back for regressed swallowing function during the follow-up period (17.06 ± 2.376 months).

Conclusion

Removable prosthesis and swallowing training can significantly improve swallowing function, reduce depression degree, and improve quality of life (QOL).

Clinical relevance

Removable prosthesis combined with swallowing training is a cheap and effective method to improve QOL in patients with palate defect and dysphagia after oral cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chen HY, Lin LH, Liu CJ (2022) Risk factors for reconstruction plate exposure after surgery in oral cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study. Clin Oral Investig 26(5):4127–4136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Hashim D, Genden E, Posner M, Hashibe M, Boffetta P (2019) Head and neck cancer prevention: from primary prevention to impact of clinicians on reducing burden. Ann Oncol: Off J Eur Soc Med Oncol 30(5):744–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Pezdirec M, Strojan P, Boltezar IH (2019) Swallowing disorders after treatment for head and neck cancer. Radiol Oncol 53(2):225–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Petrovic I, Rosen EB, Matros E, Huryn JM, Shah JP (2018) Oral rehabilitation of the cancer patient: a formidable challenge. J Surg Oncol 117(8):1729–1735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rosenbek JC, Robbins JA, Roecker EB, Coyle JL, Wood JL (1996) A penetration-aspiration scale. Dysphagia 11(2):93–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Huang ZS, Chen WL, Huang ZQ, Yang ZH (2016) Dysphagia in tongue cancer patients before and after surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg: Off J Am Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg 74(10):2067–2072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mehraban-Far S, Alrassi J, Patel R, Ahmad V, Browne N, Lam W, Jiang Y, Barber N, Mortensen M (2021) Dysphagia in the elderly population: a videofluoroscopic study. Am J Otolaryngol 42(2):102854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Carroll BJ, Fielding JM, Blashki TG (1973) Depression rating scales A critical review. Arch Gen Psychiatry 28(3):361–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cella DF, Bonomi AE, Lloyd SR, Tulsky DS, Kaplan E, Bonomi P (1995) Reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) quality of life instrument. Lung Cancer (Amsterdam Netherlands) 12(3):199–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Aoki T, Ota Y, Izawa K, Osawa Y, Seta S, Tsuda B (2022) Correlation of preference- and profile-based quality of life of Japanese oral cancer patients during the perioperative period measured using EQ-5D-5L and FACT-H&N. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 51(8):992–999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lin CR, Fan KH, Lin CY, Hung TM, Huang BS, Chen EY, Kang CJ, Huang SF, Chang JT, Chang CH (2020) Development and evaluation of a computerized clinical outcome assessment tool for head and neck cancer patients. Medicine 99(34):e20304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Yang Z, Meng Q, Luo J, Lu Q, Li X, Li G, Wan C (2012) Development and validation of the simplified Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N35 for patients with head and neck cancer. Support Care Cancer: Off J Multinatl Assoc Support Care Cancer 20(7):1555–1564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kristensen MB, Isenring E, Brown B (2020) Nutrition and swallowing therapy strategies for patients with head and neck cancer. Nutrition (Burbank Los Angeles County Calif) 69:110548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Panebianco M, Marchese-Ragona R, Masiero S, Restivo DA (2020) Dysphagia in neurological diseases: a literature review, Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of. Clin Neurophysiol 41(11):3067–3073

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lee AS, Ryu JH (2018) Aspiration pneumonia and related syndromes. Mayo Clin Proc 93(6):752–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang L, Huang Z, Wu H, Chen W, Huang Z (2014) Effect of swallowing training on dysphagia and depression in postoperative tongue cancer patients. Eur J Oncol Nurs 18(6):626–629

  17. Wiedenmann F, Liebermann A, Probst F, Troeltzsch M, Balermpas P, Guckenberger M, Edelhoff D, Mayinger M (2020) A pattern of care analysis: prosthetic rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 22(3):333–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Brahm CO, Borg C, Malm D, Fridlund B, Lewin F, Zemar A, Nilsson P, Papias A, Henricson M (2021) Patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy: their experiences after 6 months of prophylactic tooth extractions and temporary removable dentures. Clin Exp Dental Res 7(5):894–902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Krebbers I, Simon SR, Pilz W, Kremer B, Winkens B, Baijens LWJ (2021) Patients with head-and-neck cancer: dysphagia and affective symptoms. Folia Phoniatr Logopaedica: Off Organ Int Assoc Logopedics Phoniatrics (IALP) 73(4):308–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Shunmugasundaram C, Dhillon HM, Butow PN, Sundaresan P, Chittem M, Akula N, Veeraiah S, Rutherford C (2021) Patient-reported anxiety and depression measures for use in Indian head and neck cancer populations: a psychometric evaluation. J Patient-Report Outcomes 5(1):44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Verdonschot RJ, Baijens LW, Serroyen JL, Leue C, Kremer B (2013) Symptoms of anxiety and depression assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. J Psychosom Res 75(5):451–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Valdez JA, Brennan MT (2018) Impact of oral cancer on quality of life. Dent Clin North Am 62(1):143–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yuwanati M, Gondivkar S, Sarode SC, Gadbail A, Desai A, Mhaske S, Pathak SK, Khatib MN (2021) Oral health-related quality of life in oral cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Futur Oncol (London England) 17(8):979–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Chaukar DA, Walvekar RR, Das AK, Deshpande MS, Pai PS, Chaturvedi P, Kakade A, D’Cruz AK (2009) Quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: a cross-sectional survey. Am J Otolaryngol 30(3):176–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hsiao HT, Leu YS, Lin CC (2002) Primary closure versus radial forearm flap reconstruction after hemiglossectomy: functional assessment of swallowing and speech. Ann Plast Surg 49(6):612–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Nguyen NP, Moltz CC, Frank C, Vos P, Smith HJ, Karlsson U, Nguyen LM, Rose S, Dutta S, Sallah S (2006) Evolution of chronic dysphagia following treatment for head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 42(4):374–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hsiao HT, Leu YS, Lin CC (2003) Tongue reconstruction with free radial forearm flap after hemiglossectomy: a functional assessment. J Reconstr Microsurg 19(3):137–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Liou H-H, Tsai S-W, Hsieh MH-C, Chen Y-J, Hsiao J-R, Huang C-C, Ou C-Y, Chang C-C, Lee W-T, Tsai S-T, Hung DS-Y (2022) Evaluation of objective and subjective swallowing outcomes in patients with dysphagia treated for head and neck cancer. J Clin Med 11(3):692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. de Schmidt HOS, Komeroski MR, Steemburgo T, de Oliveira VR (2021) Influence of thickening agents on rheological properties and sensory attributes of dysphagic diet. J Texture Stud 52:587–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Mateos-Nozal J, Sánchez García E, Montero-Errasquín B, Romero Rodríguez E, Cruz-Jentoft AJ (2022) Short-term therapeutic adherence of hospitalized older patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia after an education intervention: analysis of compliance rates, risk factors and associated complications. Nutrients 14(3):413

Download references

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study is supported by the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China (A2020240) and the National Science Foundation of China: 81902767, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2020A1515011352).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Kai Su and Yu-jia Wang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, 56 Lingyuan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Kai Su

  2. Department of Stomotology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Yu-jia Wang, Yan-song Yu & Zhuo-shan Huang

  3. Department of Rehabilitation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Xiu-yuan Zheng

Authors
  1. Kai Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yu-jia Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yan-song Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiu-yuan Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhuo-shan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhuo-shan Huang.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

This study was approved and reviewed by the Institutional Review Board of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (approval number: 2015-BA-33).

Informed consent

All patients provided written informed consent.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Su, K., Wang, Yj., Yu, Ys. et al. Removable partial prosthesis combined with swallowing training is an efficient clinical solution for oral cancer post-operation patients with palatal defect and dysphagia: a prospective study. Clin Oral Invest 27, 305–312 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-022-04725-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-022-04725-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation