Objective: To evaluate swallowing in patients who underwent CO2 LASER Partial Epiglottectomy (CO2-LPE) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and to assess the risk of aspiration with this technique.
Material & methods: Chart review of adult patients who underwent CO2-LPE between 2016 and 2020, in a secondary care hospital. Patients underwent surgery for OSAS, in accordance to Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy findings and an objective swallowing evaluation was done at least 6 months after surgery. Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) questionnaire was applied and Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) were performed. Dysphagia was classified according to Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (DOSS).
Results: Eight patients were included in the study. The mean time between surgery and the swallowing evaluation was 50 (±13,2) months. Only 3 patients presented ≥ 3 points on EAT-10 questionnaire. Two patients presented signs of decreased efficacy of swallowing (piecemeal deglutition) but none had a decrease in safety, according to V-VST. Although 50% of the patients presented some pharyngeal residue on FEES, it was classified as trace to mild in most of the cases. No evidence of penetration or aspiration was identified (DOSS ≥ 6 in all patients).
Conclusion: The CO2-LPE is a potential treatment for OSAS patients with epiglottic collapse and no evidence of swallowing safety compromise was found.
Keywords: CO2 LASER; Dysphagia; Epiglottis; LASER epiglottectomy; Swallow evaluation.
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