Method for dealing with severe aspiration using a new concept of intralaryngeal prosthesis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Deglutition disorders are frequent in patients treated for cancer of the oropharynx, and are responsible for severe aspiration and, in some cases, may require the use of enteral nutrition by gastrostomy or tracheotomy.

METHODS: We present the case of a patient with a medical history of infiltrating laryngeal carcinoma treated by partial laryngectomy and radiochemotherapy, presenting severe aspiration causing significant weight loss. The patient received a new intralaryngeal prosthesis to prevent aspiration with the objective of regaining safe oral nutrition and closure of the tracheotomy.

RESULTS: Deglutition tests after postimplantation demonstrated significantly improved airway protection and recovery deglutition, allowing the patient to return home with resumption of varied solid and a liquid diet.

CONCLUSION: For a patient presenting severe aspiration, the intralaryngeal prosthesis allowed a resumption of oral feeding without exclusion of the larynx or airway protection by tracheotomy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: First-E2507, 2016.