Gastro-pharyngeal reflux and total laryngectomy. Increasing knowledge about its management

Abstract Purpose Investigate the incidence, the degree and the effect of gastro-pharyngeal reflux (GPR) in laryngectomised patients. Materials and methods Behavioral and 24-hour pH- and impedance-monitoring data were prospectively analyzed for 25 laryngectomised patients with no previous history of GER in outpateints' setting. Reflux detected was characterized as either acid, weakly acidic or nonacid. Proximal reflux was found at 15 cm above the LES. Results 40% of patients presented a pathological number of reflux episodes in the upright position (p  Conclusions Pre- and post-surgical reflux investigation could identify preexisting reflux severity and screen potential high-risk cancer patients for postoperative complications. This might allow the early onset of acid suppressive therapy in presence of pathologic findings in high-complication risk cancer patients.