Techniques of restoring swallowing mechanisms in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer: postoperative pain relief, plastic surgery and diet

Abstract

Objective — to review available publications and identify unresolved issues in assessing the functional state of the oral cavity and pharynx, along with swallowing disorders in oncopathology of head and neck, depending on the treatment method. The paper discusses the problems of the extent of surgical interventions and their relationship with the possibility of maintaining the act of swallowing, and contemporary understanding of the swallowing mechanism in normal and pathological conditions. Studies on postoperative pain management and feeding techniques of cancer patients are described. Conclusion — The mechanisms of impaired swallowing after surgery and chemoradiotherapy have been analyzed. For the first time, the mechanisms of damage to swallowing have been analyzed, and the ways of overcoming pathological conditions, such as dysphagia and pain, were substantiated, with topographic and anatomical details. The perspectives of resolving the issue of nutritional status restoration were outlined.

Keywords

• nutrition
• swallowing
• dysphagia
• reconstructive surgery
• pain relief