[Cervical esophagostomy improves the life quality of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of cervical esophagostomy for the treatment of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy, in order to improve the therapeutic effects.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 53 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with dysphagia, who received cervical esophagostomy. The nutritional status of these patients was measured at five given time before and after operation. The occurrence of pneumonia and reflux esophagitis before and after operation was recorded, and the quality of life based on SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scale was studied.

RESULTS

After operation, the nutritional status of these patients improved substantially, including the weight, levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferring (P<0.05). The pneumonia-infection decreased from 60.38% (32/53) before operation to 15.22% (7/46) after operation (χ(2)=21.04, P<0.01). The incidences of reflux esophagitis decreased from 26.42% (14/53)without operation to 6.52% (3/46) after operation (χ(2)=5.00, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the status of physical health, mental health as well as physical function and social function of these patients were improved significantly at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after operation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Cervical esophagostomy can improve the life quality of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.