May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Digestive Disorders Swallowing Complications after surgery - help
Swallowing Complications after surgery - help |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My mother is 88 years old and recently had a valve replacement and one bypass. The surgery was a success. She was extubated the day after surgery but has had difficulty swallowing since. She was treated for thrush for 14 days. Two weeks after surgery, the swallow study came back NPO but the doctor at the rehab overwrote that and put her on a regular diet. Two weeks ago, she was back in the ER with pneumonia. The radiologist and her surgeon did not see pneumonia but 2 other medical doctors started treatment for pneumonia due to aspiration. She has been on pudding thick liquids for one week now and is not tolerating very well. We have to wait another week for a follow up test since the two swallow studies she's had thus far have had conflicting information. My concern is that the speech therapist in the skilled facility where she is now at is suggesting that we prepare for NPO. My mother prior to surgery has never had problems swallowing and I'm hoping for some guidance on who we can consult for additional help. Dear Susan: Your mother needs to be seen by an ENT specialist, if one has not yet been consulted. There numerous conditions/diseases which can account for her difficulty swallowing. An ENT specialist has specific expertise in this area and is the best person to identify the underlying cause of your mother's difficulties. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 April 2011 ) |
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