We report here the long-term prognosis of patients who suffered dysphagia due to cerebrovascular disorders. There have been reported improvements in the case of dysphagia, but there have been few reports on long-term prognosis until now.
Subjects and Method:15 patients with dysphagia due to cerebrovascular disorder who had received treatment for dysphagia at Kanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital were studied. 13 of those underwent surgical treatment. Their ages ranged from 38 to 75 years. None could eat orally before treatment, but they all became free from tube feeding after treatment. Questionnaires that were filled out later either by the patients themselves or their family. The observation periods ranged from 8 months to 10 years and 11 months, the average being 5 years and 0 month.
Results:11 of the 15 patients (73%) had improved swallowing ability after discharge. 11 (73%) patients gained weight, and 3 became obese due to overeating. 6 (40%) patients developed gastroesophageal reflux. All of the patients underwent a combined operation with cricopharyngeal myotomy and laryngeal suspention. The incidence of reflux decreased as time went by. 4 (27%) patients developed pneumonia, but their attacks were not fatal.
Conclusion:The prognosis of dysphagia in persons due to cerebrovascular disorders is satisfactory from the viewpoint of their oral ingestion ability. However, there are many problems affecting patients' lives after they leave hospital. It is necessary to follow up dysphagic patients for a long time to prevent pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux and obesity.
