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Otolaryngology, ENT & Sinus News Provided by the California Sinus CentersProphylactic Swallowing Exercises in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiation: A Randomized Trial [Original Article]April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm by Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck SurgeryObjective To assess the efficacy of prophylactic swallowing exercises on swallowing function in patients undergoing chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Tertiary care, academic medical center. Patients Twenty-six patients with head and neck cancer receiving CRT. Intervention Patients performed 5 targeted swallowing exercises throughout their CRT and participated in weekly swallowing therapy sessions to promote adherence and accurate technique. Controls had no prophylactic exercises and were referred for swallowing treatment after completion of CRT if indicated. Main Outcome Measures Swallowing function was assessed with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (PSS-H&N) at baseline, immediately after CRT, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after CRT. Results There were no statistically significant differences in FOIS scores between intervention and control patients immediately after CRT (immediately after CRT: intervention group median score, 3 [range, 1-7], vs median control score, 4 [range, 1-6] (P = .88). However, intervention patients had significantly better scores at months 3 and 6 (median 3-month intervention score, 7 [range, 5-7], vs median control score, 5 [range, 3-7] [P = .03]; median 6-month intervention score, 7 [range, 6-7], vs median control score, 6 [range, 3-7] [P = .009]). There was no significant difference in scores at months 9 and 12 (P = .24 and P = .93, respectively). The same pattern between intervention and control patients was observed for scores on the PSS-H&N. Conclusions Patients who performed prophylactic swallowing exercises had improved swallowing function at 3 and 6 months after CRT but not immediately after CRT or at 9 and 12 months after CRT. The small sample size may have limited our ability to detect significant differences beyond 6 months of observation as well as additional significant differences in our study.
More from Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Incidence of Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: 1997-2006 [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 16, 2012, 12:00 pm Objectives To evaluate the incidence of acute mastoiditis in children in the United States over the years 1997 through 2006 and to explore possible explanations for the conflicting conclusions of recent studies Radiotherapy in Parotid Acinic Cell Carcinoma: Does It Have an Impact on Survival? [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 16, 2012, 12:00 pm Objective Acinic (or acinar) cell carcinoma (ACC) represents approximately 10% of salivary gland malignant tumors and most commonly occurs in the parotid gland. It carries a propensity for locoregional and distant metastasis. Koi frenzy [About the Cover] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm About This Journal [About This Journal] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm Complications of Adenotonsillectomy in Patients Younger Than 3 Years [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm Objective To evaluate the complication rate for adenotonsillectomy in children younger than 3 years, without a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea, to assess the necessity for postoperative inpatient admission. Design Retrospective medical
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