How can aspiration “during the swallow” be identified with FEES when you cannot see the airway “during the swallow”?
It is true that there is about four-tenths of a second ‘during’ the swallow known as “white-out” when the airway cannot be visualized on FEES because the pharynx squeezes around the endoscope’s camera and causes a white colored reflection on the computer screen. Evidence of the aspiration during the swallow is identified by comparing the view of the airway before the swallow and then after the swallow. The product of the aspiration during the swallow can be viewed immediately after the “white-out”. If a patient aspirates during the swallow, there will be an observable color below the level of the vocal cords in the patient’s trachea (wind pipe). Remember, the FEES procedure allows for a magnified view of the airway with direct visualization of the first couple tracheal shelves by advancing the endoscope to post-swallow position. FEES allows for visualization of the anatomy in color, up close, and over many many swallows. Based on published medical literature (see that section of website) FEES is more sensitive than a MBSS.
The majority of aspiration occurs either before or after the swallow, which can be seen with amazing clarity on FEES. The ENTIRE FEES procedure is being recorded, unlike the MBSS (videoswallow) where the fluoro is turned off in between swallows to reduce radiation exposure to the patient. Literature suggests the MBSS is NOT always capturing aspiration after the swallow from piecemeal swallows, residue, or backflow from the esophagus. Published findings on comparision studies of both exams support that both procedures are effective at identifying penetration/aspiration with no statistical difference, neither should be considered a ‘gold standard’ because both are imperfect exams, and that both exams are in high agreement with one another (over 95%). If you’d like to dive a bit further into reading, check out the Medical Literature section of our website.
When should I request a physician’s order for FEES?
The patient is ever changing during the critical/acute care phase, therefore, the instrumental swallow report from the hospital stay may not accurately portray the patient’s current performance. Also, rather than the patient being fully upright with shoulders down and fed one bite/drink at a time during fluoroscopic assessment, the FEES procedure captures the patient in his/her ‘natural’ eating position self feeding food/liquid with no barium over time to capture the true picture of what happens at a meal. This type of assessment may be best suited once the patient has discharged from the hospital to a less critical level of care (LTACH, Rehab Hospital, SNF). An instrumental swallow evaluation should not solely be used as a reactionary ‘after the aspiration fact’ assessment. It is a preventative, information gathering, cost effective tool to determine safety of solid/liquid status, determine swallow pathophysiology to tailor treatment plans, and decrease re-hospitalizations for pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, UTIs, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc.
Are there any contraindications for FEES?
FEES should NOT BE completed on patients with recent facial/maxillar/nasal fractures or surgery, severe nose bleeders (epistaxis), hemophilia, bilateral nasal obstructions, or history of severe laryngospasms.
FEES CAN BE completed on patients with isolation precautions, transfer limitations, paralysis, obesity, medical complexity, pressure ulcers, bed bound, dementia, NG or PEG feeding tubes, supplemental oxygen (nasal cannula), tracheostomy tubes, speaking valves, ventilator dependence, and many more.
Is the FEES procedure painful?
There may be pressure and discomfort for 5-10 seconds (not pain) as the scope is passed through the nose, but once the scope is in place most patients report the pressure lessens and the procedure is well tolerated. The scope does not puncture any tissue, rather follows the natural curvature of the passage from the nose to the base of tongue in the throat. Keep in mind sensation is usually decreased in the geriatric, medically complex, and dysphagia populations, so the majority of our patients do not feel the scope the way you would. During FEES, the endoscope does not actually enter the esophagus or trachea like it does during procedures such as an NG tube placement, bronchoscopy, or EGD. Based on research findings, the presence of the scope does NOT affect swallow function. Medical literature publications reveal that most patients would be willing to repeat the exam.
Is there use of topical anesthetics during the FEES procedure?
We do not routinely use topical anesthetics because patients tolerate the procedure very well. Properly trained SLPs/Endoscopists are taught to “pass the scope” in a gentle way on the floor of the nare. If there is concern for tolerance, obtaining from pharmacy .4ml of 2-4% strength hydrolidocaine gel can be applied within the nare with MD approval. We are so confident of patient tolerance, even in the dementia population, that if we do not successfully pass the scope you are not charged a penny.
What are the patient risks associated with FEES?
The risks are minimal occurring less than 1% of the time with the most common being a slight bloody nose (epistaxis) which did not impact pt’s ability to participate in a full assessment. Please refer to the Medical Literature section within this website for more info.
Are SLPs providing accurate recommendations clinically at bedside?
NO! The literature overwhelmingly agrees that SLPs have proven to be under-estimating and over-estimating the occurrence of aspiration at bedside or in the dining room about 50% of the time. Determining the etiology of the dysphagia and providing accurate diet/liquid recommendations will:
- (1) Reduce the cost of modified or alternative intake (tube feedings, thickened liquids, pureed solids, etc.) by upgrading pt’s diet/liquid status quicker;
- (2) Decrease the cost associated with hospital re-admissions for treating pneumonia, respiratory distress, UTI, electrolyte imbalance, etc.;
- (3) Direct the primary SLP in specific treatment planning based on pathophysiological impairments;
- (4) Increase therapeutic outcome statistics by treating the IMPAIRMENT rather than the symptom;
- (5) Assist patient/family in decision making by providing valuable information on the true etiology of the dysphagia; and
- (6) Improve patient quality of life!
Please refer to FEES vs. MBSS section within this website to likely answer more of your questions.