Table 1 Case profile and outcome of surgery to prevent aspiration and continuous low-pressure aspiration
Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 | Case 4 | Case 5 | Case 6 | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age at last admission/sex | 56/M | 48/F | 46/F | 49/M | 63/M | 68/M | 57.7 |
First ALS symptom | Lower limb | Upper limb | Upper limb | Bulbar | Lower limb | Bulbar | |
Duration from symptom onset to CPL (months) | 22 | 42 | 48 | 25 | 34 | 17 | 42.7 |
Duration after CPL (months) | 55 | 37 | 24 | 39 | 22 | 60 | 33.5 |
VC % at CPL | 45.7 | NA | 47.5 | 67.3 | 64.4 | NA | |
FVC % at CPL | 50.9 | NA | 61.9 | 58.6 | 58.3 | NA | |
Aspiration with water | – | – | + | – | – | + | |
Status of oral intake at the examination | 1 meal oral intake | 2 meals oral intake | 2 meals oral intake | Limited smallest oral intake | 1 meal oral intake | No oral intake | |
Aspiration pneumonia after CPL | None | None | None | None | None | None | |
Number of sputum suctions after CPL | 12–20 | 12–20 | 12–15 | 12–20 | 20 | NA | |
Timing of introduction of continuous low-pressure aspiration after CPL (months) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.5 | No use | 1.7 |
Number of sputum suction after the introduction of continuous low-pressure aspiration | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 3–4 | 10–12 | No use | |
Outcome of the use of continuous low-pressure aspiration | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | NA | |
Aerophagia after CPL | + | + | + | – | + | + | |
Communication status | I | I | IV | I | I | V | |
ALSFRS-R score at the last admission | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 |