Relationship between pharyngeal or esophageal reconstruction and esophageal pressure after swallowing.

BACKGROUND

High-resolution manometry, which measures esophageal luminal pressure changes after swallowing, could shed more light on food-transport dynamics after pharyngeal/esophageal reconstruction. This prospective cohort study assessed the influence of two head-and-neck and esophageal tumor-resection and reconstruction approaches on esophageal pressure.

METHODS

The cohort consisted of 17 patients who underwent esophageal/pharyngeal resection/reconstruction for cancer and then participated in postoperative high-resolution manometry. Five healthy controls also underwent manometry for comparison.

RESULTS

Partial pharyngectomy with patch grafts associated with smooth and continuous esophageal/pharyngeal movement. By contrast, surgery that removed the thoracic esophagus led to complete loss of peristalsis and poor food transport.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution manometry effectively characterized the changes in food-transport dynamics caused by pharyngeal/esophageal resection/reconstruction. These findings suggest that continuous and smooth movement of the pharynx and esophagus is important for swallowing and high resolution manometry could be useful in patients after pharyngeal/esophageal resection/reconstruction.