BLOWING RATIO AS AN EVALUATION TOOL FOR VELOPHARYNGEAL FUNCTION AFTER ORAL AND OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER RESECTION

Background. Our objective was to evaluate the value of the blowing test to measure the speech and swallowing function after resection of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Methods. Speech and swallowing functions of the patients after surgical resection of oral or oropharyngeal cancer were assessed by a speech intelligibility test, blowing time, questionnaires, and oropharyngeal pressures. Blowing time (pressure) ratio was determined by dividing blowing time (pressure) with open nose by blowing time (pressure) with closed nose. Results. Blowing time ratio had significant correlation with blowing pressure ratio (p = .014), score of speech intelligibility test (p = .0014), questionnaire for aspiration (p = .029), nasopharyngeal backflow (CC = 0.676, p = .032), amount of food to swallow (p = .037), and oropharyngeal pressure during swallowing (p = .024). Conclusion. The present results demonstrated the value of blowing time ratio as a simple objective tool for speech and swallowing ability related to velopharyngeal function after resection of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 32: 1012-1018, 2010