# Tongue pressure and self-assessment of swallowing after total laryngectomy

## TL;DR

This study found that people who had total laryngectomy had higher tongue pressure in some areas but no significant link to how well they felt they could swallow.

## Contribution

The study is one of the first to compare tongue pressure and self-reported swallowing outcomes in individuals after total laryngectomy.

## Key findings

- Individuals with total laryngectomy had higher maximum tongue dorsum pressure compared to those without.
- There was no significant correlation between tongue pressure and self-assessment of swallowing using the SOAL questionnaire.
- Tongue tip pressure was correlated with tongue dorsum pressure in individuals with total laryngectomy.

## Abstract

To evaluate tongue pressure, self-perception of swallowing, and whether tongue pressure is correlated with self-perception of swallowing in individuals undergoing total laryngectomy.

Cross-sectional study with two groups – with and without total laryngectomy, matched by age and sex to individuals with total laryngectomy. Participants had their tongue tip and dorsum pressure measured and self-assessed their swallowing with the Swallow Outcomes After Laryngectomy questionnaire (SOAL).

The sample totaled 26 participants, 13 from each group. The mean maximum tongue dorsum pressure was 41.2±18.7 and 27.9±9.3 kilopascals, respectively, in the groups with and without total laryngectomy (p = 0.03). The median maximum tongue tip pressure was 33.7 (23.8-49.3) and 29.1 (22.5-35.7) kilopascals, respectively, in the groups with and without total laryngectomy (p = 0.29). The median SOAL was 6 (2.5-8.5) points in the group with total laryngectomy. The SOAL score was not statistically significantly correlated with tongue tip pressure (r = -0.17; p = 0.58) or dorsum pressure (r = -0.30; p = 0.31).

Individuals with total laryngectomy had higher tongue dorsum pressure, although there was no difference in tongue tip pressure between individuals with and without total laryngectomy. Tongue pressure was not correlated with self-assessment of swallowing, although tongue tip pressure was correlated with dorsum pressure in individuals with total laryngectomy.

Avaliar a pressão de língua, a autopercepção da deglutição e se existe correlação entre a pressão de língua e a autopercepção da deglutição em indivíduos submetidos à laringectomia total.

Estudo transversal, constituído por dois grupos: com laringectomia total e sem laringectomia total (pareado por idade e sexo aos indivíduos com laringectomia total). Os participantes foram submetidos à mensuração da pressão de ponta e de dorso de língua; e à autoavaliação da deglutição, por meio do questionário Swallow Outcomes After Laryngectomy (SOAL).

A amostra totalizou 26 participantes, sendo 13 de cada grupo. As médias da pressão máxima de dorso de língua foram 41,2±18,7 e 27,9±9,3 kilopascal, respectivamente, nos grupos com e sem laringectomia total (p=0,03). As medianas da pressão máxima de ponta de língua foram 33,7 (23,8-49,3) e 29,1 (22,5-35,7) kilopascal, respectivamente, nos grupos com e sem laringectomia total (p=0,29). A mediana do SOAL foi 6 (2,5-8,5) pontos no grupo com laringectomia total. Não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre a pontuação do SOAL e a pressão de ponta (r=-0,17; p=0,58) e de dorso (r=-0,30; p=0,31) de língua.

Indivíduos com laringectomia total apresentam maior pressão de dorso de língua, apesar de não haver diferença na pressão de ponta de língua entre indivíduos com e sem laringectomia total. Não há correlação entre a pressão de língua e a autoavaliação da deglutição, embora haja correlação entre a pressão de ponta e de dorso de língua de indivíduos com laringectomia total.