Intermittent Oroesophageal Feeding Modulates Post-Hemorrhagic Pharyngeal Inflammation in Dysphagia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: : Dysphagia may be caused by stroke, cranial trauma, head and neck tumor surgery, and neurodegeneration. The overall prevalence of dysphagia in China is 38.7%, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition, increasing mortality rates and prolonging hospitalization. As an independent predictor of death, post-stroke dysphagia mortality ranges from 29% to 37%. Indwelling nasogastric tube feeding is widely used for dysphagic patients, but complications include mucosal bleeding, tumefaction, pneumonia, and acid regurgitation. Intermittent nasogastric tubes are an alternative option, though rarely reported. This paper describes a stroke patient with dysphagia and tracheotomy who received intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding. Notably, epiglottis tumefaction caused by the indwelling nasogastric tube disappeared after switching to intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding, with concurrent improvements in nutritional indicators, gastrointestinal tolerance, and swallowing function. To avoid side effects of indwelling nasogastric tubes in dysphagic patients, intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding deserves clinical consideration. Plain Language Summary: A 34-year-old male with post-cerebral hemorrhage quadriplegia developed persistent dysphagia and pharyngeal edema after six months of indwelling nasogastric tube feeding. Serial fiberoptic bronchoscopy demonstrated progressive epiglottic and left piriform sinus swelling correlating with prolonged tube placement. Transition to intermittent oroesophageal feeding (Ch14 tube, 6 times/day protocol) led to complete resolution of mucosal edema within 12 days, documented through three endoscopic examinations. Nutritional status improved with 2160 kcal/day enteral nutrition (35 kcal/kg/day), accompanied by 5% weight gain. Successful tracheostomy decannulation occurred on February 24, 2020, with stable vital signs post-extubation. Key clinical insights include the association between indwelling tube duration and pharyngeal inflammation severity, the therapeutic role of feeding interval adjustment in mucosal recovery, and the value of serial endoscopic monitoring when videofluoroscopic swallowing studies are unavailable. This protocol demonstrates effective dysphagia management in post-neurosurgical rehabilitation settings. Keywords: intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding, nutrition, stroke, dysphagia, epiglottis tumefaction
Language: English
Subfield: Speech and Hearing
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,320
OpenAlex ID: W7122449013