Medica Jadertina, Vol. 43 No. 1-2, 2013.
Review article
Possibilities of enteral feeding in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer
Mirna Juretić
; KBC Rijeka, klinika za maksilofacijalnu i oralnu kirurgiju
Mate Rogić
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za maksilofacijalnu i oralnu kirurgiju
Margita Belušić-Gobić
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za maksilofacijalnu i oralnu kirurgiju
Robert Cerović
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za maksilofacijalnu i oralnu kirurgiju
Nenad Petrošić
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za kirurgiju
Daniela Petrić
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za psihijatriju
Abstract
Treatment of malignant tumours of the oral cavity and oropharynx causes severe mutilations, which, due to the functional significance of these anatomical areas, endanger vitally important functions: breathing, swallowing, chewing and speech. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the usual complements to surgical treatment, and their consequences; radiomucositis, edema, dehydration, post-radiation fibrosis, cause even more pronounced dysphagical difficulties. Dysphagia can be a life-threatening symptom in patients with oropharyngeal cancer because it prevents taking enough food by mouth, and increases the risk of aspiration. The result is patients' malnutrition, increased morbidity, slower and more difficult wound healing and higher mortality.
Enteral nutrition, which, depending on the general condition of the patient and the expected length of treatment, should be started as early as possible, and it is the most acceptable way of long-term feeding.
When dysphagic disturbances last longer than 6 weeks, feeding directly into the stomach is the most acceptable manner, so, if possible, a nasogastric tube is inserted. There are several methods, and today the most widespread is the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy – PEG. It is a technically relatively
simple and fast method that requires no general anesthesia which avoids the often difficult intubation. That method is also convenient for patients due to being comfortable and of low complication possibility.
Keywords
oropharyngeal cancer; dysphagia; enteral feeding; gastrostomy; percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Hrčak ID:
100547
URI
Publication date:
23.4.2013.
Visits: 7.058 *