Abstract: Objective: To investigate the clinical application of fiberoptic endoscopic on evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and the recovery of swallowing function in patients with lesions involving both the oral tongue and the base of the tongue (OBOT). Methods: Patients diagnosed with OBOT lesions between April 2022 and May 2023 underwent assessments preoperative and at 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year after surgery. The evaluation of swallowing function included the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), University of Washington Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer, water swallow test, tongue motion measurement, and FEES (Penetration-Aspiration Scale, oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency). The reliability of the evaluation of OBOT by FEES was statistical analyzed. Results: In total, 21 patients participated in this study. FEES had high diagnostic value (area under the curve=0.916). FEES parameters were significantly correlated with the results of the water swallow test and MDADI scores (all P<0.001). The swallowing function of patients with OBOT lesions returned to the preoperative level at 1 year postoperatively, but the oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency decreased significantly, and the quality of life was still affected (all P<0.001). Conclusion: FEES is a reliable method for evaluating the postoperative swallowing function of patients with OBOT lesions and is worthy of clinical promotion. In postoperative review, although the swallowing function of these patients was restored, attention should be paid to the swallowing efficiency and quality of life.

Key words: tongue tumor, base of tongue tumor, laryngoscopy, deglutition disorders