The effects of the orogastric tube usage in the neonatalperiod on the LONG-term voice quality,

Aim: Although the orogastric tube is frequently used in the neonatal period, there are not enough studies on late complications. Anatomical cavities used during the insertion of the orogastric tube are also involved in voice formation and speech. Therefore, it is thought that the orogastric tube used in the neonatal period may have an effect on the voice quality in long term period. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of orogastric tube, which we use frequently in the neonatal period, on voice quality. Material and Method: The voice quality of fifteen patients between the ages of 4-6 and born between the ages of 32-36 /6 weeks who were followed up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital between August 2014 and August 2016 and were fed with an orogastric tube for more than seven days was evaluated. Ten healthy subjects in the same age group were included in the control group. The evaluation was made with GRBAS scale, pediatric voice handicap index, and flexible videolaryngoroscopy. Results: There was no significant difference in gender and age of both groups. There was no significant difference in terms of pediatric voice handicap index. Grade of hoarseness (G) was found to be normal in 46.7%, mild affected in 33.3%, and moderate in 20% of the case group. Roughness (R) were found to be normal in 6.7%, mild affected in 60%, and moderately affected in 33.3% of the case group. In the control group, 20% was normal, 70% mildly affected and 10% moderately affected. Breathiness (B) were found to be normal in 20%, mildly affected in 53.3%, moderately affected in 20% and severely affected in 6.7% of the case group. Of the control group, 40% was normal, 50% mildly affected and 10% moderately affected. Astheny(A) were found to be normal in 66.7%, and mild affected in 33.3% of the case group. It was found vi that 80% of the control group was normal and 20% was mildly affected. Strain (S) were found to be normal in 40.0%, mild affected in 46.7%, and moderately affected in 13.3% of the case group. In the control group, 60% was normal, 30% was slightly affected, and 10% was moderately affected. Although there was a difference between the groups in terms of GRBAS scale, the difference was not significant. Edema and nodule parameters were evaluated with videolaryngostroboscopy. Nodules were detected in 35.7% of the case group and 12.5% in the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference. The median value of orogastric tube use in patients with nodules was 20 days, and in patients without nodules, it was 12 days, and there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Although there was a difference in evaluation parameters due to the small sample size of the study, no statistically significant result was found. However, the data obtained reveal the need for more studies on the subject. Keywords: Orogastric Tube, Voice Disorder, GRBAS, Pediatric Voice Handicap Index, Vocal Fold Nodule