Epiglottis is not essential for successful swallowing in humans

Steven B Leder; Morton I Burrell; Douglas J Van Daele

doi:10.1177/000348941011901202

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Epiglottis is not essential for successful swallowing in humans

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Epiglottis is not essential for successful swallowing in humans

Steven B Leder, Morton I Burrell and Douglas J Van Daele

Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology, Vol.119(12), pp.795-798

12/2010

DOI: 10.1177/000348941011901202

PMID: 21250550

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Abstract

Controversy has continued for well over 100 years regarding the role of the epiglottis in deglutition. We describe the effect of isolated epiglottectomy on swallowing success in a case series of 3 adult human subjects with isolated epiglottectomy due to trauma, surgery, or cancerous erosion. The patients were 42, 51, and 70 years of age, and swallowing was analyzed objectively with videofluoroscopy. All subjects exhibited successful swallowing with all food types: thin liquid, puree, and solid food. Specifically, the patient with traumatic epiglottectomy exhibited rapid swallowing success, the patient with surgical epiglottectomy exhibited a short period of dysphagia due to postoperative edema, followed by swallowing success, and the patient with epiglottectomy due to cancerous erosion of the entire epiglottis exhibited long-term adaptation, with successful swallowing maintained. We conclude that the epiglottis is not essential for successful swallowing in humans, because individuals can readily adapt to isolated epiglottectomy and avoid tracheal aspiration.

Humans

Middle Aged

Epiglottis - physiology

Male

Fluoroscopy

Epiglottis - injuries

Deglutition - physiology

Video Recording

Adult

Epiglottis - surgery

Female

Aged

Epiglottis - diagnostic imaging

Details

Title: Subtitle: Epiglottis is not essential for successful swallowing in humans
Creators: Steven B Leder - Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8041, USA. steven.leder@yale.edu
Morton I Burrell
Douglas J Van Daele
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology, Vol.119(12), pp.795-798
DOI: 10.1177/000348941011901202
PMID: 21250550
NLM abbreviation: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol
ISSN: 0003-4894
eISSN: 1943-572X
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 12/2010
Academic Unit: Radiation Oncology; Medicine Administration; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9984006341102771

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