Oropharyngeal dysphagia: analyses of Brazilians and Americans protocols of fluoroscopy

Abstract:

The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the use of Brazilian and North American protocols for videofluoroscopy in patients with stroke. A literature review of Brazilian and North American articles was conducted. Articles containing the description of procedures for videofluoroscopy of swallowing in subjects who had stroke published between 2003 and 2013 were selected. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the procedures for videofluoroscopy was performed. The following variables were considered: positioning for the exam, consistency and quantity of the bolus, types of tools and use of protocols. Sixteen studies were included, nine (56.25%) North American and 7 (43.75%) Brazilian. It was observed that four of the national studies (57.14%) did not report the quantity offered, while all American ones detailed it between 2 and 15 mL; the types of food and their consistencies were detailed in all national and North American studies, but national studies did it generically, without identification of foods. Regarding the position of the patient during the examination, 57.14% of the national articles did not report it, while all American articles did. Equipment used to offer the bolus are mentioned in 55.55% of Americans articles and in just 14.28% of the national ones. As for the use of protocols, only 33% of American articles did not mention it, while 71.42% of national articles failed to mention it. There is a need to standardization of procedures and terminologies in videofluoroscopy, both in Brazilian as North American publications.

Keywords:
Deglutition; Fluoroscopy; Deglutition Disorders; Stroke