Comprehensive Assessment of Swallowing Function Before and After Abdominal Surgery Including Thoracoabdominal Esophagectomy

Various surgical interventions are known to result in postoperative swallowing dysfunction. This preliminary study aimed to comprehensively assess the swallowing function before and after abdominal surgery including thoracoabdominal esophagectomy and to explore the factors associated with swallowing dysfunction. Forty-five participants underwent swallowing function tests including a repetitive saliva swallowing test and modified water swallowing test, and their maximum phonation time and tongue pressure were measured before and after the operation. The pre- and postoperative results of these tests were compared, and correlations between the changes in the results of each test and clinicopathological characteristics were assessed. The maximum phonation time and tongue pressure were significantly decreased after the operation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Changes in the maximum phonation time and tongue pressure were negatively correlated with age. Changes in the maximum phonation time were positively correlated with the preoperative value and operative time, and changes in tongue pressure were also positively correlated with the preoperative value; however, these changes were not correlated with other variables. Maximum phonation time and tongue pressure were significantly decreased after abdominal surgery including thoracoabdominal esophagectomy; however, their clinical significance remains unknown.