[Dysphagia] patient s/p surgery

[Casper219 at aol.com (Casper219@aol.com)]

Any suggestions for a 60 y.o. male 5 weeks s/p neck surgery (C3)?  During the surgery his esophagus and hypopharynx were moved out of the surgical field.  His first MBS 10 days post showed he was aspirating all consistencies.  He has developed a "hacking cough" that he calls aspiration bronchitis (he is a neurosurgeon).  He has recently been able to initiate exercise (Masako maneuver).  A follow up MBS showed trace penetration with thin liquids and improvements allowing him to consume pureed foods without aspiration.  He has lost weight and is currently drinking nectar-like liquids and eating pureed food (Ensure and pudding is what he described his diet).
Thank you for any thoughts.
Mary