ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study is to ascertain how to use oroesophageal tube feeding, and to compare the complications of oroesophageal tube feeding and nasogastric tube feeding. This study is also used to investigate the effects of inserting and removing an oropharyngeal tube in the oropharyngeal mucous membrane, and to discover the effects of an injured mucous membrane, damaged from the insertion and removal of a tube, on a patient's swallowing function and diet. Methods : The subjects are made up of 31 dysphagia inpatients of the A medical center who are able to use oroesophageal tube feeding. The subjects' criteria are as follows: 1) onset of the condition within three months, but with stabilization and the ability to receive swallowing therapy, 2) enforcement of non-oral feeding, 3) ability to understand the method of oroesophageal tube feeing, and 4) agreement to this study. Using a medical chart, an outcome measurement is used to compare complications, and changes of diet are used to evaluate the swallowing function before and after applying oroesophageal tube feeding. Results : The duration of oroesophageal tube feeding is 30.71±51.78 days. The subjects suffer from brain injuries (64.52%), head and neck cancer (19.35%), Parkinson's disease, and cervical injuries (16.13%). Complications using nasogastric tube feeding arose in 8 subjects (25.82%), including pneumonia, diarrhea, and hemorrhaging. This is more than the complications from esophageal tube feeding, which inflicted 2 persons (6.46%). Also, when inserting and removing the oropharyngeal tube, there were no negative effects on the oropharyngeal mucous membrane, oropharynx, or larynx. In esophageal tube feeding, there is a significant increase in diet progression (p<.00). Conclusion : The complications in using esophageal tube feeding are lower than in nasogastric tube feeding. Also, repetitive mechanical stimulation from inserting and removing the tube does not affect the progress of swallowing function or diet.