Influence of effortful swallow on pharyngeal pressure: evaluation using a high-resolution manometry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of effortful swallow on pharyngeal pressure while swallowing saliva and water using a novel high-resolution manometry (HRM) system.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series with planned data collection.

SETTING: Nagasaki University Hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen asymptomatic Japanese adult volunteers were studied. A solid-state HRM assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1 cm apart was positioned from the velopharynx to the upper esophagus to record pressures while swallowing. The maximum values of the pressure while swallowing saliva (dry swallowing) and 5 mL of water were measured at the velopharynx, meso-hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) with and without effortful swallows.

RESULTS: The maximum values of dry swallowing pressures (mm Hg) at the velopharynx, meso-hypopharynx, and UES were significantly higher with effortful swallow (155.7 ± 59.7, 256.7 ± 78.7, and 276.5 ± 87.5, mean ± standard deviation) than without it (115.3 ± 60.8, 172.9 ± 57.0, and 195.8 ± 61.3). Those of water swallowing pressures were also statistically higher with effortful swallow (169.3 ± 69.1, 236.6 ± 77.2, and 267.3 ± 79.1) than without it (119.2 ± 59.7, 189.5 ± 70.7, and 221.3 ± 72.7).

CONCLUSION: The present results provide quantitative evidence of effortful swallow as well as physiological information. It also is hoped to be an aid to future clinical and investigative studies.