Swallowing Function and Perioperative Complications After Transoral Robotic Surgery

What are the objective and subjective swallowing functions in the perioperative period following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC)?In this cohort study of 212 adult patients who underwent TORS for OPSCC, 97.6% of patients were receiving an oral diet by the time of discharge. At 6 weeks postoperatively, although 63.6% of patients reported a worsening in their swallow perception compared with baseline, only 9.1% of patients had an objective decrease in swallowing function based on videofluoroscopic swallow studies, and 95.3% were consuming a soft to regular diet within 6 weeks postoperatively.The results of this study suggest that a more detailed understanding of swallowing-related issues after TORS and the role of speech-language pathologists in swallow assessment and rehabilitation may help with patient counseling and setting appropriate expectations.

Corresponding Author: Jeremy D. Richmon, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck surgery, Mass Eye and Ear/Mass General Brigham/Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles St, Boston MA 02114 (jeremy_richmon@meei.harvard.edu).

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