Abstract. The use of a valved feeding line and nipple is reported as an aid in reinstituting oral feeding in adults rendered dysphagic by composite resections or oral and submandibular structures. Suckle feeding procedures that have proven useful in these situations have also been applied with varying success to selected adults rcndcrcd dysphagic by ncurological impairments. The success of preliminary investigations warrants further investigation of suckle feeding as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitative therapies.The armamentarium and training exercises employed in suckle feeding are described. The necessity for confirmatory cineradiographic or videofluoroscopic records of swallowing function is emphasized.

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The study concerned the nature of the alterations, if any, in muscle activity demonstrable when the mandible shifts from maximum intercuspation into its most retruded physiological relation (i.e. centric relation). An integrator-averager was used to determine micro V average amplitude from masseter and temporal muscles in two maxillo-mandibular positions, centric relation and maximum intercuspation, and three modes, first contact occlusion, chewing and swallowing. Vertical reference marks on the cuspids were used to quantitate horizontal deviation from maximum intercuspation to centric relation. Data were obtained from twelve subjects and analysed for variance. Results demonstrated a significant increase in micro V in all centric relation positions. Statistics yielded an F value of 5.88258 with a probability of 0.005. Results suggest critical limitations in reliance on centric relation as a reference position during clinical therapy.

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