Influence of External Subglottic Air Flow on Dysphagic Tracheotomized Patients With Severe Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if external subglottic air flow (ESAF) influences swallowing frequency in severely dysphagic tracheotomized patients with brain injury. METHODS: Ten patients were recruited at the neurological intensive care unit. The ESAF intervention was provided through the standard cuffed suction aid tracheotomy tube, which primarily is used to suction residual secretion volume from the subglottic area. Sessions were 150 minutes, and ESAF was provided at 60-65, 90-95, and 120-125 minutes at 3 L/min. Outcome measures included swallowing frequency (swallows/5 min) at 0-5 minutes (pre-baseline), 25-30 and 55-60 minutes (baseline/control), and 85-90, 115-120, and 145-150 minutes (postintervention). The residual secretion volume (ml) from the subglottic area was collected using a syringe at 0 minutes (pre-baseline), 30 and 60 minutes (baseline/ control), and at 90, 120, and 150 minutes (postintervention). RESULTS: The mean (±SEM) swallowing frequency (swallows/5 min) increased from 0.60 ± 0.30 to 2.10 ± 0.70 during the ESAF intervention ( P < .001). The mean (±SEM) residual secretion volume reduced from 3.10 ± 0.31 ml to 0.50 ± 0.30 ml after the ESAF intervention ( P < .001). CONCLUSION: The increase in swallowing frequency and reduction in residual secretion volume may indicate that ESAF influences swallowing parameters in patients with tracheotomy tubes.

Factors affecting return to oral intake in inpatient rehabilitation after acquired brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To extend previous observations by investigating if differences exist in time to initiation or to recovery of total oral intake in patients with acquired brain injury assessed by either Facial-Oral Tract Therapy (F.O.T.T.) or Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and to investigate whether other factors influence these outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen patients with dysphagia in inpatient neurorehabilitation were randomized. The main outcome was time to maximum on the Functional Oral Intake Scale. RESULTS: There was no difference in time to initiation or recovery of total oral intake using F.O.T.T. or FEES. Oral intake was initiated for 42% on admission and 92% at discharge; 2.5% of the patients were on total oral intake within 24 hours of admission and 37% at discharge. The likelihood of recovery to total oral intake before discharge was found to depend on age, Functional Independence Measure score, length of stay and number of dysphagia interventions. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in time to initiation and recovery of total oral intake before discharge, whether assessed by F.O.T.T. or FEES, indicating that an instrumental assessment is unnecessary for standard evaluation. Age, functional independence and length of stay had a significant influence.

[Neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia is a frequent condition in patients admitted to the ICU]. / Neurogen dysfagi ses hyppigt hos patienter på intensivafdelinger.

Neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia (NOD) is a frequent condition in neurological patients admitted to the ICU, particularly in patients with brainstem lesions. The CNS damage itself can predispose to dysphagia, but also the treatment and preventive measures may predispose to and exacerbate the condition. Frequent pneumonia in a neurological patient is a warning signal that should cause screening for dysphagia. Complications are serious and can be fatal. Neurological patients should be examined for NOD before decannulation. Treatment is difficult, so prevention and multidisciplinary neurological rehabilitation is important.

Randomized trial of two swallowing assessment approaches in patients with acquired brain injury: Facial-Oral Tract Therapy versus Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients assessed for initiation of oral intake only by Facial-Oral Tract Therapy had a greater risk of developing aspiration pneumonia during neurorehabilitation than patients assessed by Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Specialized, national neurorehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS: Adult patients with acquired brain injury. Six hundred and seventy-nine patients were assessed for eligibility and 138 were randomly allocated between June 2009 and April 2011. INTERVENTIONS: Assessment by Facial-Oral Tract Therapy (control group) or Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (intervention group). MAIN MEASURE: Primary outcome was the number of aspiration pneumonias that developed after initiation of oral intake. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients were included in the analysis of the primary outcome (62 controls/57 interventions). Sixteen patients were clinically diagnosed with pneumonia (4 controls/12 interventions). Nine patients had to be excluded: 6 patients got pneumonia before initiating oral intake; 3 patients with the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia did not show radiological signs. Seven patients were left for analysis, 4 of whom developed aspiration pneumonia within 10 days after initiating oral intake (1 control/3 interventions). CONCLUSION: In the presence of a structured clinical assessment with the Facial-Oral Tract Therapy approach, it is unnecessary to undertake an instrumental investigation of swallowing before initiation of oral intake.

[Specialised early rehabilitation of brain injury performed in an intensive care setting]. / Højtspecialiseret hjerneskaderehabilitering udføres nu på intensivafdeling

In Denmark, early rehabilitation of acquired head injuries is centralised in two centres, each covering half the country as uptake area. The Regional Hospital Hammel Neurocenter (HN), which covers the western half of Denmark, traditionally receives patients for rehabilitation after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). In collaboration with the Regional Hospital in Silkeborg HN now offers early rehabilitation in Silkeborg's ICU setting to patients with acquired brain injury. This preliminary study discusses whether the collaboration facilitates rehabilitation at an earlier state than previously.