Development of a Multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Program: An Institutional Experience

• Main Authors: Seung Kim (Author), Mireu Park (Author), Eunyoung Kim (Author), Ga Eun Kim (Author), Jae Hwa Jung (Author), Soo Yeon Kim (Author), Min Jung Kim (Author), Da Hee Kim (Author), Sowon Park (Author), Hong Koh (Author), In Geol Ho (Author), Seung Ki Kim (Author), Sangwon Hwang (Author), Kyeong Hun Shin (Author), Hosun Lee (Author), Bobae Lee (Author), Hyeyeon Lee (Author), Minhwa Park (Author), Myung Hyun Sohn (Author), Dong-wook Rha (Author), Kyung Won Kim (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2021-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/children8070535; 2227-9067
• Keywords: aerodigestive team; children; feeding; multidisciplinary care; pediatric; respiratory difficulty; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: Children, Vol 8, Iss 7, p 535 (2021)

We share our experience on the implementation of a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program comprising an aerodigestive team (ADT) so as to evaluate its feasibility. We performed a retrospective chart review of the patients discussed at the monthly ADT meetings and analyzed the data. A total of 98 children were referred to the ADT during the study period. The number of cases increased steadily from 3.5 cases per month in 2019 to 8.5 cases per month in 2020. The median age of patients was 34.5 months, and 55% were male. Among the chronic comorbidities, neurologic disease was the most common (85%), followed by respiratory (36%) and cardiac (13%) disorders. The common reasons for consultation were suspected aspiration (56%), respiratory difficulty (44%), drooling/stertor (30%), regurgitation/vomiting (18%), and feeding/swallowing difficulty (17%). Following discussions, 58 patients received active interventions, including fundoplication, gastrostomy, laryngomicrosurgery, tracheostomy, and primary dilatation of the airway. According to the questionnaire of the caregiver, the majority agreed that the main symptoms and quality of life of patients had improved (88%), reducing the burden on caregivers (77%). Aerodigestive programs may provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary management for children with complex airway and digestive tract disorders.