This study aimed to determine the incidence of laryngeal penetration and aspiration in elderly patients who underwent supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for laryngeal cancer.

A retrospective analysis of dynamic videofluoroscopic swallowing studies was performed in patients who had received supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy as a treatment for laryngeal cancers. Digital analysis of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies included measurements of displacement and timing related to swallowing safety.

Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies from 52 patients were analysed. All participants were male and over 65 years old. Studies were performed five years after surgery. Among 52 videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, analysis showed that elevated pharyngeal constriction ratio (pharyngeal constriction ratio more than 0.0875, odds ratio = 5.2, p = 0.016), reduced pharyngoesophageal sphincter opening time (pharyngoesophageal sphincter open less than 0.6 seconds, odds ratio = 11.6, p = 0.00018) and reduced airway closure time (airway close less than 0.6 seconds, odds ratio = 10.6, p = 0.00057) were significantly associated with aspiration.

Deteriorated pharyngeal constriction, shortened airway closure and reduced pharyngoesophageal sphincter opening time are key factors for predicting laryngeal penetration or aspiration after supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy.