PURPOSE: to observe whether a relationship exists between the preference of chewing side, facial anthropometry and electrical activity of masseter muscle in total laryngectomy. METHODS: data collection, performed in the Speech Therapy Cancer Hospital of Pernambuco (HCP), with the participation of fifteen volunteers laryngectomized males and mean age of 64 years. We performed measurement of distances between points and anthropometric facial ex ch in hemifaces of volunteers and later executed EMG of the masseter muscles, bilaterally, in his habitual intercuspal (MHI), unilateral right and left chewing and during mastication. Filming took place during mastication to identify the side of the preference side. RESULTS: individuals whose right side is the masticatory predominance showed of the left side of the face to a greater extent (72.37 mm), while those whose prevalence of side left masticatory had higher estensão the side right (68.85 mm). In unilateral chewing right the electrical activity of the right masseter had an average 123.57% , while the left masseter showed an average 84.85% of the activity in relation to MHI (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: in laryngectomized anthropometric facial measurements correlate with the preference side chewing and the values of the masseter EMG during mastication.
Anthropometry; Mastication; Electromyography; Laryngectomy; Laryngeal Neoplasms
