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Functional assessment of the pharynx at rest and during swallowing in partially paralyzed humans: simultaneous videomanometry and mechanomyography of awake human volunteers

Eriksson, Lars I ; Sundman, Eva ; Olsson, Rolf ; Nilsson, Lena ; Witt, Hanne ; Ekberg, Olle LU and Kuylenstierna, Richard (1997) In Anesthesiology 87(5). p.1035-1043
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Functional characteristics of the pharynx and upper esophagus, including aspiration episodes, were investigated in 14 awake volunteers during various levels of partial neuromuscular block. Pharyngeal function was evaluated using videoradiography and computerized pharyngeal manometry during contrast bolus swallowing. METHODS: Measurements of pharyngeal constrictor muscle function (contraction amplitude, duration, and slope), upper esophageal sphincter muscle resting tone, muscle coordination, bolus transit time, and aspiration under fluoroscopic control (laryngeal or tracheal penetration) were made before (control measurements) and during a vecuronium-induced partial neuromuscular paralysis, at fixed intervals of mechanical... (More)
BACKGROUND: Functional characteristics of the pharynx and upper esophagus, including aspiration episodes, were investigated in 14 awake volunteers during various levels of partial neuromuscular block. Pharyngeal function was evaluated using videoradiography and computerized pharyngeal manometry during contrast bolus swallowing. METHODS: Measurements of pharyngeal constrictor muscle function (contraction amplitude, duration, and slope), upper esophageal sphincter muscle resting tone, muscle coordination, bolus transit time, and aspiration under fluoroscopic control (laryngeal or tracheal penetration) were made before (control measurements) and during a vecuronium-induced partial neuromuscular paralysis, at fixed intervals of mechanical adductor pollicis muscle train-of-four (TOF) fade; that is, at TOF ratios of 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, and after recovery to a TOF ratio > 0.90. RESULTS: Six volunteers aspirated (laryngeal penetration) at a TOF ratio < 0.90. None of them aspirated at a TOF ratio > 0.90 or during control recording. Pharyngeal constrictor muscle function was not affected at any level of paralysis. The upper esophageal sphincter resting tone was significantly reduced at TOF ratios of 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80 (P < 0.05). This was associated with reduced muscle coordination and shortened bolus transit time at a TOF ratio of 0.60. CONCLUSIONS: Vecuronium-induced partial paralysis cause pharyngeal dysfunction and increased risk for aspiration at mechanical adductor pollicis TOF ratios < 0.90. Pharyngeal function is not normalized until an adductor pollicis TOF ratio of > 0.90 is reached. The upper esophageal sphincter muscle is more sensitive to vecuronium than is the pharyngeal constrictor muscle. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Anesthesiology
volume
87
issue
5
pages
1035 - 1043
publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
external identifiers
  • pmid:9366453
  • scopus:0030730673
ISSN
1528-1175
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c16fc21b-e8cb-42bd-9747-445093584ff2 (old id 1111744)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:45:59
date last changed
2022-02-25 21:02:34
@article{c16fc21b-e8cb-42bd-9747-445093584ff2,
  abstract     = {{BACKGROUND: Functional characteristics of the pharynx and upper esophagus, including aspiration episodes, were investigated in 14 awake volunteers during various levels of partial neuromuscular block. Pharyngeal function was evaluated using videoradiography and computerized pharyngeal manometry during contrast bolus swallowing. METHODS: Measurements of pharyngeal constrictor muscle function (contraction amplitude, duration, and slope), upper esophageal sphincter muscle resting tone, muscle coordination, bolus transit time, and aspiration under fluoroscopic control (laryngeal or tracheal penetration) were made before (control measurements) and during a vecuronium-induced partial neuromuscular paralysis, at fixed intervals of mechanical adductor pollicis muscle train-of-four (TOF) fade; that is, at TOF ratios of 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, and after recovery to a TOF ratio &gt; 0.90. RESULTS: Six volunteers aspirated (laryngeal penetration) at a TOF ratio &lt; 0.90. None of them aspirated at a TOF ratio &gt; 0.90 or during control recording. Pharyngeal constrictor muscle function was not affected at any level of paralysis. The upper esophageal sphincter resting tone was significantly reduced at TOF ratios of 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80 (P &lt; 0.05). This was associated with reduced muscle coordination and shortened bolus transit time at a TOF ratio of 0.60. CONCLUSIONS: Vecuronium-induced partial paralysis cause pharyngeal dysfunction and increased risk for aspiration at mechanical adductor pollicis TOF ratios &lt; 0.90. Pharyngeal function is not normalized until an adductor pollicis TOF ratio of &gt; 0.90 is reached. The upper esophageal sphincter muscle is more sensitive to vecuronium than is the pharyngeal constrictor muscle.}},
  author       = {{Eriksson, Lars I and Sundman, Eva and Olsson, Rolf and Nilsson, Lena and Witt, Hanne and Ekberg, Olle and Kuylenstierna, Richard}},
  issn         = {{1528-1175}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{1035--1043}},
  publisher    = {{Lippincott Williams & Wilkins}},
  series       = {{Anesthesiology}},
  title        = {{Functional assessment of the pharynx at rest and during swallowing in partially paralyzed humans: simultaneous videomanometry and mechanomyography of awake human volunteers}},
  volume       = {{87}},
  year         = {{1997}},
}