SPEECH PRACTICE IN PATIENTS POST-CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT

Ano: 2013 | Volume: 17 | Número: Suplemento

Autores: Almeida AEM, Souza AB, Silva RN.

Resumo Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To show the importance of speech therapy for a neurological disease and for the positive evolution of the patient. CASE REPORT: On January 25, 2012, a 55-year-old man experienced a hemorrhagic stroke because of high blood pressure. The left brain was most affected. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for 30 days. He started speech therapy when he was transferred to the ward. He was TQT with continuous mechanical ventilation, disoriented, with GTT. The initial diagnosis was speech neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia, which was graded as severe. After discharge, the patient continued speech therapy and daily feeding orally once a day with a pasty diet, and maintained GTT but without TQT (removed after joint treatment between the speech therapist and physiotherapist). He was more awake, cooperative, and conscious. Because of his progress, more food choices were added by VO diets, with the guidance of nutritionist, to maintain nutritional balance and hydration. When the patient was administered 3 diets BC in semisolid, liquid, or pasty consistency, the team agreed to feed all diets orally for a week while maintaining the patient under observation. At this time, the patient, his family, and his caregiver were instructed and trained regarding posture and proper use of food utensils (e.g., tablespoon for pasty and semisolid foods and a small cup for liquids), and the use of post-swallowing maneuvers, when necessary. CONCLUSION: After 5 months of therapy, the patient progressed well and TQT and GTT were discontinued. He is currently able to eat foods of all consistencies orally.