Relationship between pharyngeal or esophageal reconstruction and esophageal pressure after swallowing

Abstract

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.