Return of Aspiration-Free Swallow After Laryngotracheal Anesthesia

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Swallowing, Air

Treatments: Other: waiting period

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04575870

IRB-300005704

Details and patient eligibility

About

Patients undergo laryngotracheal anesthesia (LTA) for a variety of in-office laryngology procedures. Prior to resolution of laryngeal sensory anesthesia, oral intake may predispose patients to aspiration. The purpose of this study is to objectively characterize a time period for return of aspiration-free swallow after LTA.

Full description

Swallowing is a complex process involving coordination of multiple muscle groups. Sensation in the throat is very important for swallowing safely. Laryngotracheal anesthetic (LTA, or topical application of lidocaine anesthetic to larynx and trachea) is needed for a variety of in-office laryngology procedures, including examination of the air passage, or tracheobronchoscopy. This causes a temporary decrease in sensation that can affect swallow function and result in aspiration (passage of swallowed material into lungs instead of into esophagus and stomach). It is not known how long this effect lasts. It would be helpful to know this for counseling patients on when they can resume swallowing after a procedure. In general, most patients are advised to avoid eating/drinking for 90 minutes after their procedure to allow for sensation to return. To date, there has been no study characterizing the time required for return of aspiration-free swallow after LTA.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• Ability of patients to speak and understand English
• Ability for patients to consent for themselves
• Undergoing tracheobronchoscopy procedure for the treatment of airway stenosis
• Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score ≤ 3

Exclusion criteria

• Age less than 18 years

• Patients unable or unwilling to provide informed consent

• Women who are pregnant

• History of abnormal swallowing evaluation, either videofluroscopic study of swallow or functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)

• History of medical condition affecting swallowing, such as

  • Neurodegenerative disorders: stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, cerebral palsy, Gullain-Barre syndrome, poliomyelitis, myopathy, Parksonism, Huntingon's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, Wilson's disease, vocal fold paralysis
  • Connective tissue disorders: polymyositis, dermatomyositis, progressive systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's disease, scleroderma
  • History of gastroesophageal tumor
  • History of gastroesophageal surgery
  • History of recent open central neck surgery (i.e., thyroidectomy, anterior cervical discectomy or fusion)
  • History of head and neck cancer
  • History of head and neck radiation therapy or chemotherapy

Trial design

30 participants in 3 patient groups

Treatment Group 1: 90 min waiting period

Description:

Participants undergo their planned tracheobronchoscopy + 90 minute waiting period prior to modified functional endoscopic swallowing exam

Treatment:

Other: waiting period

Treatment Group 2: 66 min waiting period

Description:

Participants undergo their planned tracheobronchoscopy + 66 minute waiting period prior to modified functional endoscopic swallowing exam

Treatment:

Other: waiting period

Treatment Group 3: 46 min waiting period

Description:

Participants undergo their planned tracheobronchoscopy + 46 minute waiting period prior to modified functional endoscopic swallowing exam

Treatment:

Other: waiting period