Intervenção de Enfermagem à pessoa com deglutição comprometida no contexto neurocirúrgico

Inês Agostinho; Mafalda Teixeira Fernandes; Ricardo Cunha; Ana Figueiredo; Ricardo Picoito; Bruno Morgado

doi:10.33194/rper.2026.44682

Authors

Inês Agostinho Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental, Entidade Pública Empresarial, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9570-3926
Mafalda Teixeira Fernandes Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental, Entidade Pública Empresarial, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6149-557X
Ricardo Cunha Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental, Entidade Pública Empresarial, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2981-0834
Ana Figueiredo Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental, Entidade Pública Empresarial, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0386-6654
Ricardo Picoito Núcleo de Investigação e Formação em Enfermagem, Centro de Inovação e Investigação Clínica da Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7719-5227
Bruno Morgado Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre. CARE - Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ciências Sociais, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9931-3677

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33194/rper.2026.44682

Keywords:

Deglutition Disorders, Deglutition, Nursing Care, Neurosurgery

Abstract

Introduction: Impaired swallowing is a frequent problem in people with neurosurgical pathology, associated with a higher risk of complications and increased length of hospital stay. In this context, it is considered a priority research area in the nursing specialty of rehabilitation, stemming from the autonomous interventions of nurses in this clinical dimension. The systematic use of the Gugging Swallowing Test (GUSS) can support the early identification of swallowing disorders, ensure the person's safety, and support clinical decision-making.

Methodology: This quantitative, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a neurosurgical inpatient unit, including 81 participants evaluated between March 2024 and 2025. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and the GUSS was applied to characterize swallowing.

Results and Discussion: Of the participants included, 51.8% had moderate dysphagia, 21% had severe dysphagia, and 14.8% had mild dysphagia; while 12.3% did not present swallowing alterations. Most participants (79%) maintained safe oral feeding, while 7% required nasogastric tube placement to prevent complications. Notably, 24 nasogastric tubes were removed following specialized evaluation. Pudding-like consistency was the most commonly prescribed (40%), followed by honey (34%) and nectar (26%). During the analyzed period, 87.7% of participants presented with impaired swallowing. No associated complications were recorded among the evaluated participants during the observation period.

Conclusion: The systematic application of the GUSS suggests a benefit in the early identification of impaired swallowing, reinforcing the importance of standardized protocols and training of nursing teams in food safety and rehabilitation, although the study design may limit the inference of causality.

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