CPAP to Improve Swallow Function Post Total Laryngectomy

University of California (UC) Davis

Status: Completed

Conditions: Laryngectomy; Status; Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Treatments: Device: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03328702

908521

Details and patient eligibility

About

Investigator initiated prospective study to determine whether use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) can improve the swallow function in patients who underwent total laryngectomy and are experiencing difficulty swallowing

Full description

Total laryngectomy is a procedure that involves surgical removal of the larynx and separation of the digestive and airway tracts. The procedure is typically conducted for cases of laryngeal cancer and intractable aspiration. Following this procedure, patients are no longer at risk for aspiration; however some patients continue to experience difficulties in propulsion of food or drink throughout the pharynx. Previous research has demonstrated a reduction in pharyngeal contractile pressure and increased pharyngeal transit time in patients post laryngectomy. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) may assist bolus propulsion in these patients by increasing pressure in the direction of bolus flow. This study aims to evaluate the utility of a CPAP mask to improve pharyngeal swallow outcomes during Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Exam (VFSE) in patients with dysphagia following total laryngectomy. This specific population could be well-suited for this application, since the digestive tract and airway are completely separate and there is no risk of the aspiration into the airway.

Enrollment: 4 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients at least 2 months after total laryngectomy
• Undergoing Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Examination

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with 100% neopharyngeal stenosis
• Patients with active cancer within 2 months of the study
• Patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula
• Vulnerable population: Adults unable to consent, Pregnant women, and Prisoners

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

4 participants in 1 patient group

Continue Positive Airway Pressure

Experimental group

Description:

Continue Positive Airway Pressure during VFSE

Treatment:

Device: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure