LeBlanc B, Lewis E, Caldito G, Nathan C. American Broncho-Esophagological Association. 2014 May.

OBJECTIVES: 1.To determine if pharyngeal reflux increases in patients with total laryngectomy. 2. To determine if pharyngeal reflux scores are higher in patients with prior radiotherapy.

RESULTS: Three enrolled patients did not undergo a total laryngectomy (two were noted to be unresectable, one underwent partial laryngectomy). Ten out of the 24 patients underwent post laryngectomy pH probe monitoring. The mean age of those completing the study was 61.2 (47-84). When analyzing those who completed the post laryngectomy pH study (n=10), the mean pre-operative upright Ryan score was 106.3 compared to a post-operative score of 209.0 (p= .04). The mean supine preoperative Ryan score in this group was 3.9 compared to 8.1 postoperatively (p=.13). The mean upright Ryan score for patients with prior radiotherapy was 238.4 (n=8), compared to 22.0 (n=16) in those without prior radiotherapy (p=0.02). The supine score was 12.7 in the radiotherapy group compared to 2.7 in those without radiotherapy (p=0.12).

CONCLUSION: Both total laryngectomy and a history of prior radiotherapy increase pharyngeal reflux scores.