Peripheral blood saturation and pulse rate during swallowing in patients with oral cavity neoplasm and after its excision

Abstract

We are very grateful to Barbara Zaborek, PhD for her help in thorough statistical assessment of the results. AbstractBackground. Breath holding during swallowing enables safe transport of bolus from the oral cavity to the esophagus without threat of aspiration into the lower airways. Inter-deglutition apnea elongation needed for the performance of several swallows supporting non-efficient lower pharynx emptying in the patients after oral cavity neoplasm excision, may be the cause of the peripheral blood saturation decrease.