[Dysphagia] Re: Hiatal hernia

[ppollywogger at juno.com (ppollywogger@juno.com)]

I just had a MBS performed on a patient with similar c/o food sticking, gagging, occasional vomiting, premature sensation of fullness, wt loss due to same.  MBS revealed grossly WFL oro-pharyngeal function, but a large hiatal hernia which emptied very slowly. Typical reflux precautions were recommended along with 2 techniques with which I have no experience - and since the pt returned home soon after the MBS, I didn't have ample opportunity to try them - they were recommended to reduce esophageal symptoms.

Slick Diet: prepare flavored jello of pt's preference as directed on box - once set, whisk or blend jello and then add 1/4 cup of cold fluid to each cup of jello, then reset. have pt. use the "slick" mixture 1:1 with each bite of food.

Hiatal Maneuver: use a bath towel & fold into half, then quarters, then eighths & place under right or left buttocks when pt is upright in chair. monitor during trial feeding for reduced c/o esophageal symptoms during meal.

Again - I have not yet had the chance to try these techniques but thought I'd pass them on since the topic is current! I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried these & whether or not they were successful.

- Margaret