Longitudinal changes in swallowing function after surgery and proactive swallowing therapy for oral cancer

Background This study aimed to describe and explore the longitudinal changes in swallowing function among patients with oral cancer who underwent surgery and proactive swallowing therapy from baseline to 1‐year postoperation. Methods We retrospectively studied 118 patients over a 4.5‐year duration. Swallowing functional assessment including 10‐item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT‐10), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, and Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP™) was performed at baseline, 1‐month, 6‐month, and 1‐year postoperatively. Results All swallowing parameters worsened 1‐month postoperation. EAT‐10, FOIS, and MBSImP™ oral and pharyngeal impairment scores improved significantly compared with 1‐month postoperation at 6 months. Other swallowing parameters, except for weight, did not differ significantly from baseline at 6 months. The rate of tube‐feeding dependency was 11.5% and 5.6% at 1 and 6 months postoperation, respectively. Conclusions Periodic swallowing functional assessments help delineate the longitudinal changes in swallowing functional outcomes.