Increased age is an independent risk factor for radiographic aspiration and laryngeal penetration after thoracotomy for pulmonary resection.

Objectives: Aspiration is an increasingly recognized complication after thoracotomy for pulmonary resection, but mechanisms of postoperative aspiration are poorly characterized. This study sought to evaluate risk factors to better define postthoracotomy aspiration.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-one consecutive patients underwent clinical bedside swallowing evaluations after thoracotomy for pulmonary resection on postoperative day 1.

What information do clinicians use in recommending oral versus nonoral feeding in oropharyngeal dysphagic patients?

There is little evidence regarding the type(s) of information clinicians use to make the recommendation for oral or nonoral feeding in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. This study represents a first step toward identifying data used by clinicians to make this recommendation and how clinical experience may affect the recommendation. Thirteen variables were considered critical in making the oral vs.