Communication and swallowing outcomes following functional salvage total laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES

Severe laryngeal dysfunction following (chemo)radiotherapy for head and neck cancer may be managed with functional salvage total laryngectomy (FSTL). We investigated communication and swallowing outcomes following FSTL at our tertiary centre.

METHODS

All patients treated with FSTL from 2009-2023 were included. Functional Oral Intake Scale score and primary mode of communication were recorded at pre-surgical baseline, point of discharge from inpatient admission, six and 12 months post-surgery.

RESULTS

Ten patients were identified. Pre-surgery all patients were nil by mouth due to severe dysphagia, and 70 per cent were communicating verbally. By 12 months post-surgery, 70 per cent were tolerating full oral intake and 40 per cent were using surgical voice restoration as the primary mode of communication.

CONCLUSION

Variability in functional outcome must be explained to patients who are offered surgical management of non-functioning larynx, and further work is needed to identify factors that may influence outcome.