Apart from videofluoroscopic (VFS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), a variety of assessment tools and patient self-evaluation questionnaires are found in the literature. Those patients that fail the initial screening need to be referred for further clinical assessment. Early and reliable screening for symptoms of dysphagia in subject populations at risk is an effective and vital first step in appropriate dysphagia management. It can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, or aspiration pneumonia and may have major effects on social and psychological well-being. Dysphagia is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Any dysfunction in this system may lead to dysphagia.

ConcLusions The combined application of the Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test, the Standardized Swallowing Assessment and the Volume- Viscosity Swallow Test can improve the detection rate of aspiration risk in the acquired- brain- injury patients with suspicious swallowing dysfunction, reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, increase the nursing safety, and improve the health outcomes of neurosurgical patients.Because the human aerodigestive tract caters to the combined functions of breathing, vocalizing, and swallowing, the large supralaryngeal space created by the low larynx positioning in adults increases a risk of aspiration or choking. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 1.4% (2/142) in the observation group and 12.4% (19/153) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=13.502, P<0.05). ResuLts The detection rate of aspiration risk was 36.6% (52/142) in the observation group and 7.8% (12/153) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=35.899, P<0.05). The detection rate of aspiration risk and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia was compared between the two groups. The control group was assessed by water swallow test, while a combination of the Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test, the Standardized Swallowing Assessment and Volume- Viscosity Swallow Test was used to assess the observation group till discharging. Methods Totally 142 patients with acquired brain injury were selected as the observation group during November 2016 and November 2017, and 153 patients with acquired brain injury were selected as the control group during October 2015 and October 2016. Objective To apply repetitive saliva swallowing test and standardized swallowing assessment combined with the volume- viscosity swallow test on patients with acquired brain injury, we aim to identify the potential risks of oral intake during the patients′recovery stage, and improve the strategy of aspiration prevention.

Volume viscosity swallow test