Abstract
The Fukuoka Dental College Medical and Dental Hospital has adopted a unified approach to diagnosing and treating dysphagia through its Swallowing and Speech Center. The Center facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration, offering screening and surgical treatment. Video endoscopy （VE） and video fluorography （VF） are essential for determining treatment strategies. Surgical interventions aim to restore oral intake and prevent aspiration, and are classified into swallowing function improvement surgery and aspiration prevention surgery. These procedures are particularly effective for refractory cases where rehabilitation is insufficient. Understanding surgical indications and efficacy requires anatomical and physiological considerations, including innervation and muscle function. In elderly patients with recurrent pneumonia, swallowing dysfunction is likely influenced by multiple factors such as pharyngeal clearance and delayed swallowing reflex rather than oral health alone. Collaboration between hospitals and elderly care facilities benefits both sides: facilities gain improved pneumonia prevention and safer meal assistance, while hospitals receive pre-admission swallowing function data, enabling early rehabilitation and oral intake recovery. This integrated approach enhances patient outcomes.
