Dysphagia rehabilitation in Japan.

This article describes the features of Japanese dysphagia rehabilitation, particularly where it differs from that in the United States. Many kinds of professionals participate in dysphagia rehabilitation; nurses and dental associates take important roles, and the Japanese insurance system covers that. Videofluorography and videoendoscopy are common and are sometimes done by dentists. Intermittent catheterization is applied to nutrition control in some cases. The balloon expansion method is applied to reduce pharyngeal residue after swallowing. If long-term rehabilitation does not work effectively in dysphagia due to brainstem disorder, the authors consider reconstructive surgery to improve function.