The voice and swallowing profile of adults with laryngotracheal stenosis
before and after reconstructive surgery: A prospective, descriptive
observational study
Abstract
Objectives: Airway reconstruction for laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS)
improves dyspnoea. There is little evidence relating to impact upon
voice and swallowing. We explored voice and swallowing outcomes in
adults with LTS before and after reconstructive surgery. Design: With
ethical approval, twenty consecutive LTS patients undergoing airway
reconstruction at a tertiary referral center were prospectively
recruited. Outcome measures were collected pre-reconstructive surgery,
two-weeks post-surgery and up to 4-6 months post-surgery. These included
physiological values (maximum phonation time (MPT) and fundamental
frequency; penetration-aspiration score, residue score),
clinician-reported (GRBAS, functional oral intake score, 100ml Water
Swallow Test) and patient-reported outcomes (Voice Handicap Index-10,
Reflux Symptoms Index, Eating Assessment Tool, Dysphagia Handicap
Index). Results: The observational study identified patient-reported and
clinician-reported voice and swallow difficulties pre- and post-surgery;
median and interquartile range are reported at each timepoint: Voice
Handicap Index-10 23 (8-31); 20.5 (9-33.5), 24.5 (12.5-29); Dysphagia
Handicap Index 9 (0-37); 13 (7-44); 15 (4-34); GRBAS grade 1(1-2); 2
(1-2.5); 2(1-2); 100ml Water Swallow Test volume score 16.7 (11.1-20);
14.3 (12.5-16.7); 16.7 (14.3-20.0); 100ml Water Swallow Test capacity
score 16.3 ± 9.0; 11.0 ± 4.1; 12.5 ± 2.6. Conclusion: We present the
first prospective data on voice and swallowing outcomes in adults with
LTS before and after reconstructive surgery. The variability of the
outcomes was higher than expected but importantly, for many the voice
and swallow outcomes were not within normal limits before surgery. The
clinical value of the study demonstrates the need for individual
assessment and management of LTS patients’ voice and swallowing.