Oral and oral preparatory phase of swallowing in children with tonsil hypertrophy: Videofluoroscopy study

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of respiratory obstruction due tonsils hypertrophy on bolus organization, lip posture, bolus propulsion, and on associated head and mandible movements during the preparatory oral and oral phases of swallowing in children. This is a transversal study in children with tonsils hypertrophy (Group 1 -n = 21, 8 girls and 13 boys; mean age 4.5 years) and nasal breathers children without tonsils hypertrophy (Group 2 -n = 10, 4 girls and 6 boys; mean age 4.6 years). The groups were evaluated for respiratory patterns (oroscopy, anterior rhinoscopy and nasopharyngoendoscopy), dental evaluation and videofluoroscopy of swallowing, for liquids and paste food. No significant differences were detected (p>0.05) between groups regarding liquid volume ingested, bolus organization, lip posture, bolus propulsion, or the presence of associated head and mandible movements. The results indicate that respiratory obstruction caused by tonsil hypertrophy in children with normal occlusion did not influence the variables studied regarding the preparatory oral and oral phases of swallowing for both consistencies.