Premium
Submandibular salivary gland transfer for the prevention of radiation‐induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 5‐Year outcomes
Author(s) -
Liu XueKui,
Su Yong,
Jha Naresh,
Hong MingHuan,
Mai HaiQiang,
Fan Wei,
Zeng ZongYuan,
Guo ZhuMing
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21461
Subject(s) - nasopharyngeal carcinoma , submandibular gland , salivary gland , medicine , saliva , incidence (geometry) , radiation therapy , dry mouth , gastroenterology , oncology , physics , optics
Background Our aim in this study was to investigate the value of the submandibular salivary gland transfer procedure in prevention of radiation‐induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods In all, there were 70 patients, consisting of a test group (36 patients) and a control group (34 patients) in a nonrandomized fashion. In the test group, the submandibular salivary gland was transferred to submental space before radiotherapy (XRT) and shielded. Salivary gland functions were evaluated by the amount of saliva and a quality of life questionnaire before and after XRT and 3 and 60 months after XRT. Results At 5 years, the trapping and excretion functions of salivary gland were significantly better in the test group ( p = .000 and p = .000). The mean weight of saliva after XRT was heavier (1.65 g vs 0.73 g, p = .000), and the incidence of xerostomia was lower in the test group, with no difference in 5‐year survival and neck nodal recurrence between the 2 groups. Conclusions Salivary gland transfer procedure prevents XRT‐induced xerostomia and improves quality of life of patients with NPC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010