Mendelsohnmanövern

Mendelsohn maneuver, also known as the Mendelsohn technique, is a compensatory swallowing technique used in the management of oropharyngeal dysphagia. The maneuver aims to prolong the period of hyolaryngeal elevation and the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) during swallowing, thereby improving pharyngeal clearance and reducing residue and the risk of penetration or aspiration.

Technique: After initiating a swallow, the patient holds the larynx in the elevated position at the peak of hyolaryngeal excursion for about 2–3 seconds before relaxing and swallowing again. It is typically practiced within a therapy program under a speech-language pathologist and may be performed with or without cues. The maneuver is considered compensatory rather than restorative, meaning it helps current swallow safety but does not repair the underlying neuromuscular deficits.

Indications and considerations: used in patients with reduced hyolaryngeal elevation or cricopharyngeal dysfunction, commonly after stroke or other neurogenic conditions. Evidence is mixed: some studies report improvements in pharyngeal propulsion, reduced pharyngeal residue, and decreased penetration/aspiration in selected patients, while others show limited or variable benefits. The technique requires cognitive ability and motor control and can be fatiguing. It is not suitable for all patients and should be individualized and monitored as part of a comprehensive dysphagia therapy plan.

History: the technique is named after the clinician who first described it in the dysphagia literature during the late 20th century.

See also: supraglottic swallow, effortful swallow.