• 3/2/2005
  • New York, NY
  • Dr. Jana Rieger
  • Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005;131:140-145

A technique of transferring the submandibular gland, known as the Seikaly-Jha procedure (SJP), improves the xerostomia that occurs after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, according to Canadian researchers. Moreover, the surgery promotes more efficient swallowing.

“This efficiency has implications for the overall well-being and nutritional status of patients with head and neck cancer,” lead author Dr. Jana Rieger, from Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton, and colleagues note in February issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery.

The findings are based on a study of 24 patients who were treated with surgery and radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer. Of these subjects, 13 underwent SJP and had one submandibular gland preserved, whereas the remainder had none preserved.The SJP group had higher baseline and stimulated salivary flow rates than did the control group, the authors note. In addition, SJP-treated patients moved a test bolus through the oral cavity into the pharynx faster than control patients and swallowed less often per bolus.

In addition, the complete swallowing sequence took about twice as long in controls.Thus, the authors conclude, the results suggest that SJP is a useful method of preventing xerostomia in patients treated for head and neck cancer, producing benefits in salivary flow rate as well as swallowing behaviors.