Abstract: Objective To study the potential mechanism of recovery from dysphagia after surface electrical stimulation. Methods 3 cases recovery from dysphagia caused by lower brainstem infarction after surface electrical stimulation of lower mandible and trigeminal nerves were analyzed. Results After 3～16 weeks surface electrical stimulation, the swallow assessment scores reached from 0 to 6 in all the 3 patients. Conclusion Surface electrical stimulation can facilitate the recovery of swallow function, which may be involved with the sensory input, especially the integration of nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS).

Key words: lower brainstem infarction, dorsolateral medullary infarction, dysphagia, surface electrical stimulation, nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS)