Enteral Access and Dysphagia in Stroke

There is a fourfold increase in mortality when a patient is diagnosed of having post-stroke dysphagia. Pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration contributes towards the high mortality associated with post-stroke dysphagia. Screening and assessment for dysphagia must be done using tools such as the water-swallow test, videofluoroscopic swallowing study and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The focus in managing post-stroke dysphagia is to prevent aspiration and to improve the swallowing mechanism. Several methods have been developed such as dietary modification along with the use of enteral access, maneuvers that facilitate swallowing, neurostimulation as well as rehabilitation techniques aiming to improve swallowing. Currently, the ongoing treatment of post-stroke dysphagia demonstrate potential benefit however further study and recommendations are required to improve the quality of life of patient with post-stroke dysphagia.