Chronic Aspiration without Pulmonary Complications after Partial Laryngectomy: Long-term Follow-up of Two Cases

We report the long-term history of two patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia subsequent to partial resection of the larynx (supraglottic and subtotal laryngectomy, respectively). Both fiberendoscopic and videofluoroscopy swallowing studies demonstrated aspiration of liquids and solids in the lower respiratory tract. The patients underwent a swallowing rehabilitation program and respiratory exercises to improve the efficacy of their cough, and both continued oral feeding despite their persistent dysphagia. They were followed annually over the subsequent 12 and 9 years, respectively, which included overseeing the clinical status of their bronchopulmonary apparatus (i.e., whether a productive cough was present or not), nutritional status, spirometric parameters, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and measurement of cough effectiveness. They also underwent serial videofluoroscopy swallowing studies, which demonstrated persistent tracheobronchial aspiration of both liquids and solids. Based on the absence of respiratory hospitalizations as well as pulmonary deterioration during the follow-up period, we discuss the importance of cough effectiveness and its enhancement as a possible protective factor to avoid pulmonary morbidity in chronic aspiration.