Myofunctional therapy for a patient with dysphagia due to prolonged nasogastric prolonged nasogastric tube use

Abstract

Swallowing is a rapid and highly coordinated function that requires the participation of 26 pairs of muscles, five cranial nerves and both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Any alteration in the swallowing process can be defined as dysphagia; swallowing disorders have been recognized by the OMS as a disability affecting the digestive system. Myofunctional therapy is a discipline within speech therapy that focuses on preventing, evaluating, diagnosing and treating orofacial disorders. Case report. Male preschool patient of 4 years of age who began his current illness with accidental trauma, for which he was admitted to the pediatric emergency service of the Enrique Tejera Hospital. At the time of evaluation with nutrition, the oral route was suspended and the use of a nasogastric tube was indicated, which had a prolonged use of 3 months. The patient showed severe malnutrition, dysphagia and postural changes, for which myofunctional therapy was implemented to increase masticatory function in order to guarantee adequate absorption of nutrients and correct postural changes. Conclusions. Myofunctional therapy is an alternative treatment to stimulate masticatory muscles, highlighting the need to perform it in hospitalized patients with nasogastric tube indication where masticatory function is compromised.