How to make a complete, efficient and short-time evaluation of deglution

Abstract

The deglution disorder is an increasing pathology among hospitalized patients. The study and handling of this condition has many alternatives according to the bibliography. We analyzed the inter-consults for deglution evaluations sent to our service between January 1st. and December 31st., 2004. A protocol was built with the data and the examination made and the patients were classified according to the severity of the disorder, thus entering into an algorithm designed to continue its therapy and follow-up. This work could prove the high incidence of the deglution disorder in hospitalized patients; corresponding to 20% of the total inter-consults of the Service. The two most frequent causes for this disorder were: vascular accident in 56% and extended intubation in 58% of the cases; some patients presented both diagnoses. The results showed that the factors mostly related to a severe deglution disorder were: masculine sex, incomplete oral cleanness, abnormal handling of the saliva, abnormal palatine mobility, saliva moving freely in glottis, decrease of sensitivity in glottis, remains in pyriform apertures and suffocation when eating. A deglution evaluation protocol is proposed for this type of patients, in accordance with our experience as Otorhinolaryngological Service.