Choices of Food after Total Laryngectomy

Cheerasook Chongkolwattana, CDR Pachrin Chanpresit and Preyanuj Yamwong

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mahidol University, Thailand
Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital, Thailand
Department of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand

^*Correspondance to: Cheerasook Chongkolwattana 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1438

Abstract

Background: Management of laryngeal cancer by total laryngectomy resulted in alteration of pharyngeal anatomy and physiology and with combined radiation makes it more difficult for food bolus to pass through pharynx and upper esophagus. The purpose of this study is to identify the choice of Thai food, which has variety of texture that laryngectomies could eat at different period of treatment. Ability to eat chili hot food is also studied.Method: Prospective comparison choice of food types is done from preoperative and to 1,3 and 6 months post-operative period using questionnaire. Thai food were classified by texture into 7 types as clear liquid, thick liquid, soft, semisolid, sticky, hard, and hard and dry food. Ability to eat chili hot food is compared between preoperative period and at 6 months after operation.Results: Seventeen patients with uncomplicated total laryngectomy were enrolled. The patients could eat type 1-3 food (clear liquid, thick liquid and soft food) well at all time. For the rest of food types, the laryngectomies had more difficulty eating them. Sticky food is the most difficult to eat after total laryngectomy and radiation. Both hard food and hard and dry food were difficult for the patients but less than sticky food. The worst time of eating difficulty was at 3 months. At 6 months after surgery, 76.5% of patients who could eat semisolid food, which is the common food in daily life, without difficulties. This was the same as before treatment. Patients who could not eat sticky food, hard food and hard and dry food at all were 52.95%, 29.4% and 41.2% respectively. Approximately half of the patients (9/17) could eat hot food at 6 months after the operation although all of them could eat it before having cancer.Conclusion: The result can be used for preoperative counseling on possible types of food at different period of treatment. To improve the eating satisfaction and life quality, the patients should be instructed to try all types of food, especially after complete healing from surgery and radiation.

Keywords

Thai food types; Choices of food; Total laryngectomy

Cite the article

Chongkolwattana C, Pachrin Chanpresit CDR, Yamwong P. Choices of Food after Total Laryngectomy. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1438.