[Management of swallowing disorders after brain injuries in adults]

The management of swallowing disorders after brain injury must be soon as well. The physiopathological analysis and the organization of the therapeutic project of these patients require the intervention of an interdisciplinary team. Dysphagia falls under a complex clinical context associating impairments of cognition, communication and behavioural control. The management associates speech therapist, caregivers, otolaryngolologist, phoniatrician, physiotherapist and nutritional therapist without forgetting the family circle. The fluctuations of consciousness and concentration of our patients brings us to constantly readjusting and rehabilitating the strategies of feeding. Obstacles with their evolution towards a normal feeding are akinesia, limits of motor functions, impairements of cognition and behavioural control. In the located lesions swallow recovers can be fast, instead of in severe brain-injury the challenge is to ensure safe and adequate nutrition, using a variety of strategies depending on the presenting symptoms. The purpose of this article is to relate our experience beside patients with an acute or recent cerbrovascular event.