Imperial College London
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Prof Caroline Alexander

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery & Cancer

Professor of Practice (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy)
 
 
 
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Contact

 

caroline.alexander

 
 
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Location

 

Department of PhysiotherapyCharing Cross HospitalCharing Cross Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Clunie:2021:10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3,
author = {Clunie, GM and Belsi, A and Roe, JWG and Alexander, CM and Sandhu, G and McGregor, A},
doi = {10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3},
journal = {Dysphagia},
pages = {365--374},
title = {Not just dyspnoea: swallowing as a concern for adults with laryngotracheal stenosis undergoing airway reconstruction},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3},
volume = {37},
year = {2021}
}
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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Acquired laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a rare condition causing dyspnea and stridor. Patients often require multiple surgical procedures with no guarantee of a definitive outcome. Difficulty swallowing is a recognised problem associated with LTS and the reconstructive surgeries required to manage the condition. The breathlessness patient’s experience impacts on swallowing, and the vulnerable structures of the larynx are implicated during complex surgeries. This leads to dysphagia post-surgery, with some patients experiencing more chronic symptoms depending on the biomechanical impact of the surgery, or a pre-existing dysphagia. Despite this there is limited observational research about the dysphagia associated with LTS, with no exploration of the patient experience. Our aim was to investigate patient experience of living with LTS focussing on dysphagia in order to guide clinical practice. A qualitative study was completed using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 24 patients who have had reconstructive surgery for LTS. Thematic analysis was used to identify three over-arching themes: The Physical Journey, The Emotional Journey and The Medical Journey. Key sub-themes included the importance of self-management and control, presence of symptoms, benefits of therapy, living with a life-long condition, fear and anxiety, autonomy, medicalisation of normal processes and the dichotomy between staff expertise and complacency. Swallowing was connected to all themes. The results are reviewed with consideration of the wider literature of lived experience particularly in relation to other chronic conditions and those that carry a high symptom burden such as head and neck cancer. Future clinical and research recommendations have been made. Akin to other clinical groups, adults with LTS are keen that management of their swallowing is person-centred and holistic.
AU  - Clunie,GM
AU  - Belsi,A
AU  - Roe,JWG
AU  - Alexander,CM
AU  - Sandhu,G
AU  - McGregor,A
DO  - 10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3
EP  - 374
PY  - 2021///
SN  - 0179-051X
SP  - 365
TI  - Not just dyspnoea: swallowing as a concern for adults with laryngotracheal stenosis undergoing airway reconstruction
T2  - Dysphagia
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3
UR  - http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000638035600001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
UR  - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00455-021-10287-3
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/88764
VL  - 37
ER  -
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