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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Epiglottis Removal Affect Swallowing And Speech?

Hi, my dad is 74, he just had his epiglottis removed because of cancer, he has a feeding tube in his nose, what are the chances of him ever being able to swallow again on his own? The doctor told us that the epiglottis was something you could live with out, it would not affect his swallowing or speech, so far this has proven to incorrect...is there hope

posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 24 Jul 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 25 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
Epiglottis is the valve to keep the respiratory system safe and it opens up for breathing and closes the larynx completely when one has to swallow.
One can eat without epiglottis BUT the food and fluids will enter into the trachea and patient will aspirate the whole thing and die of it.
So removal of epiglottis will not allow any swallowing or speech.

It looks it is something else the Doctor want you to tell.
Nasogastric intubation is done for this feeding as the patient may not be in a position to swallow. Feeding through feeding tube has to be continued
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Will Epiglottis Removal Affect Swallowing And Speech?

Hi. Epiglottis is the valve to keep the respiratory system safe and it opens up for breathing and closes the larynx completely when one has to swallow. One can eat without epiglottis BUT the food and fluids will enter into the trachea and patient will aspirate the whole thing and die of it. So removal of epiglottis will not allow any swallowing or speech. It looks it is something else the Doctor want you to tell. Nasogastric intubation is done for this feeding as the patient may not be in a position to swallow. Feeding through feeding tube has to be continued