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Case Reports
. 2022 Jan-Mar;87(1):63-79.
doi: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2021.12.004. Epub 2021 Dec 29.

Position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society for the management of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic

C Manzano-Aquiahuatl  1 , R Tobar-Fredes  2 , M R Zavala-Solares  3 , D Salle-Levy  4 , R Imamura  5 , R Morales-Fernández  6 , L Ojeda-Peña  7 , D Parra-Reyes  8 , P Santoro  5 , V Ton  9 , O E Trujillo-Benavides  10 , M A Vargas-García  11 , A M Furkim  12
Affiliations
Case Reports

Position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society for the management of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic

C Manzano-Aquiahuatl et al. Rev Gastroenterol Mex (Engl Ed). 2022 Jan-Mar.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is transmitted through the inhalation of droplets or aerosols and inoculation via the oronasal or ocular routes, transforming the management of swallowing disorders into a challenge for healthcare teams, given their proximity to the aerodigestive tract and the high probability of aerosol generation during patient evaluation and treatment.

Aim: To provide essential guidance for Latin American multidisciplinary teams, regarding the evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, at the different levels of healthcare. The position statement was formulated for the purpose of maintaining medical service continuity, in the context of a pandemic, and minimizing the propagation and infection risks of the virus.

Methods: Thirteen experts in swallowing disorders were summoned by the Latin American Dysphagia Society to formulate a series of clinical suggestions, based on available evidence and clinical experience, for the management of dysphagia, taking the characteristics of Latin American healthcare systems into account.

Results: The position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society provides a series of clinical suggestions directed at the multidisciplinary teams that manage patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. It presents guidelines for evaluation and treatment in different contexts, from hospitalization to home care.

Conclusions: The present statement should be analyzed by each team or healthcare professional, to reduce the risk for COVID-19 infection and achieve the best therapeutic results, while at the same time, being mindful of the reality of each Latin American country.

Introducción: El virus SARS-CoV-2, que causa la enfermedad COVID-19, se transmite por inhalación de pequeñas gotas o aerosoles e inoculación por vía oronasal u ocular, lo cual hace del manejo de la deglución para los equipos de salud un desafío, dada su proximidad al tracto aerodigestivo y la alta probabilidad de generar aerosol durante la evaluación y tratamiento de los pacientes.

Objetivo: Brindar orientación esencial a los equipos de salud multidisciplinarios de Latinoamérica para la evaluación y tratamiento de la disfagia orofaríngea y esofágica en los diferentes niveles de atención en salud. Este posicionamiento fue realizado con el propósito de mantener la continuidad de los servicios médicos en el contexto de una pandemia y minimizar los riesgos de propagación y contagio del virus.

Métodos: Con base en la evidencia disponible y la experiencia clínica alcanzada hasta la fecha, 13 expertos en deglución convocados por la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Disfagia formularon una serie de sugerencias clínicas para el manejo de la disfagia, considerando las características de los sistemas de salud latinoamericanos.

Resultados: El posicionamiento de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Disfagia brinda a los equipos multidisciplinarios una serie de sugerencias clínicas para el manejo de personas con disfagia orofaríngea y esofágica y ofrece lineamientos para su evaluación y tratamiento en diferentes contextos, desde la hospitalización hasta la atención domiciliaria.

Conclusiones: Este posicionamiento debe ser analizado por cada equipo o profesional de la salud, para reducir el riesgo de contagio por COVID-19 y lograr los mejores resultados terapéuticos, considerando siempre la realidad de cada país latinoamericano.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disfagia; Dysphagia; Esofágica; Esophageal; Orofaríngea; Oropharyngeal; Sugerencias; Suggestions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Algorithm with general considerations for the interdisciplinary management of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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