Expert Consensus Statement: Management of Dysphagia in Head & Neck Cancer Patients (2022 AMW)
2022 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
Dysphagia in head & neck cancer (HNC) has been reported in up to 100% of patients during treatment and persists in up to 45% of HNC survivors. In addition to its significant morbidity, dysphagia conveys a substantial socioeconomic burden to HNC patients, caregivers and the community. Though there is growing awareness of the health consequences, psychological toll and societal cost tied to dysphagia-related sequelae of HNC, there are significant barriers to engaging all patients in appropriate therapies. Ultimately the landscape of dysphagia prevention and management provided to HNC patients is varied, and a significant driver of this inconsistency is the lack of consensus recommendations. Supported by the AAO-HNSF Guideline Task Force, an expert multidisciplinary team was convened to develop and judge topic statements related to the contemporary management of dysphagia in HNC patients. The team focused on content areas of controversy, practice variation and opportunities for quality improvement within the domains of prevention, assessment, treatment and surveillance of dysphagia in HNC patients. In all, 48 statements reached consensus. This session will review and discuss the recommendations of this expert consensus statement (ECS) development team. Topics will include multidisciplinary care, swallowing maintenance, appropriate swallow assessment, behavioral and device-driven swallow therapy, patient and care-giver education, feeding tube practices, aspiration management, surgical interventions and surveillance strategies. The session is important for clinicians who care for HNC patients and seek evidence as well as evidence-based guidance for the prevention and management of dysphagia.
Credits
CME:1.0, MOC:1.0