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Introduction: Patients who require prolonged endotracheal intubation (>48 hours) are at risk of dysphagia. Speech-language pathologists should perform swallowing exercises after extubation due to the high probability of developing aspiration pneumonia. There are no studies describing the use of swallowing techniques employed in post-extubation therapy aided by surface electromyography. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of swallowing function therapy in extubated patients after prolonged orotracheal intubation by means of clinical and electromyographic evaluation. Methods: A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study (average age 48.6 ± 16.5 years). The study was carried out in three phases: (1) Clinical and electromyographic evaluation using the Dysphagia Risk Assessment Protocol following dysphagia scores criteria, and the measurement of the suprahyoid muscles amplitude (μV) expressed by root mean square (RMS), respectively; (2) swallowing rehabilitation program; and (3) reevaluation of patients after therapy. The Wilcoxon paired test assuming a significance level of 5% was used for statistical analysis. Results: By means of the swallowing scale, it was verified that patients suffered from severe oropharyngeal dysphagia at the first evaluation (80%), but the rehabilitation therapy reduced clinical signs, persistent only in one patient (6.7%) post-therapy, thus, improving swallowing. Significant differences, pre- and post-therapy, for suprahyoid muscles during maximal voluntary isometric contractions of right ( P = .0067) and left ( P = .0215), saliva swallowing by right ( P = .0413) and left ( P = .0151), and liquid swallowing by right ( P = .0479) and left ( P = .0215) sides, were found, as shown by electromyography. Conclusions: Swallowing exercises carried out by extubated patients after prolonged orotracheal intubation increased neuromuscular recruitment of suprahyoid muscles involved with swallowing and reduced dysphagia levels.

This study assessed lumbago and its radicular propagation to the lower extremities by CT myelography, interpreting possible etiopathogenetic factors. We diagnosed swelling of the cauda equina roots on the basis of clinical features, CT myelography and electromyographic findings.

Five cases of compression of the deep palmar branch of the ulnar nerve were operated upon and the hiatus released by subperiosteal removal of the pisiform bone. The clinical and electromyographical results after a minimum follow-up of eight months showed an improvement in all cases. The authors stress the importance of accurate electromyographic examination for a correct preoperative diagnosis.