Electromyographic activity of masseter muscle during swallowing in total laryngectomized subjects: review of literature

Atividade eletromiográfica do músculo masseter durante a deglutição em laringectomizados  totais: revisão de literatura

Leandro de Araújo Pernambuco(1)*,  Hilton Justino da Silva(2),  Klyvia Juliana Rocha de Moraes(3), Maria Clara

Rodrigues(4), Renata Andrade da Cunha(5), Jair Carneiro Leão(6)

ABSTRACT

Laryngeal neoplasm  ranks in the second  place  among  the neoplasms  that affect the head  and  neck region.   In  advanced   neoplasm   cases,   total  laryngectomy  may  be  indicated   to  the  patient,   which  has consequences like changes  in swallowing. These changes  cause  interference in the swallowing biomechanics, modifying the action of muscle groups involved in this function and the masseter muscle helps to stabilize the mandible.  Surface electromyography evaluates  the electrical activity of a muscle group during its activity and can be an alternative to evaluate the behavior of masseter muscle during swallowing in total laryngectomized subjects. The purpose of this article was to review the literature about this theme. The search was conducted  in scientific databases using the uniterms: electromyography,  masseter,  swallowing, laryngeal  neoplasm.  They were also used as keywords. Articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese were considered.  Any articles relating directly to  the  electrical  activity of masseter  muscle  during  swallowing in total  laryngectomy  were  found, showing a scarcity in literature. However, was possible to establish relations between the concepts and there is a need for more studies in this area.

KEYWORDS: electromyography, masseter muscle, swallowing, laryngeal neoplasms.