North Louisiana Swallow Solutions
Imaging. Assessment. Education.

FEES Research

The More You Know...

If you don’t have the time or resources to read all of these articles, we suggest you spend a few minutes and read this one as it encompasses all of the below:

Langmore, S.E. History of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing for Evaluation and Management of Pharyngeal Dysphagia: Changes over the Years. Dysphagia. (2017) 32: 27. doi;10.1007/s00455-016-9775-x.

If you would rather not spend your free time accessing online journals, we don’t judge, just send us an e-mail, and we’ll gladly get the article(s) you want right to you.

Literature Supporting the Need for Instrumental Swallow Evaluations

  1. Bedside clinical swallow exams by SLPs have proven to be under-estimating and over-estimating aspiration; therefore, the use of instrumental swallow evaluations is imperative.
  2. There are certain risk factors in the SNF population that are predictors of aspiration pneumonia.
  • Gerrie J.J.W. Bours, Rene´e Speyer, Jessie Lemmens, Martien Limburg & Rianne de Wit. Bedside screening tests vs. videofluoroscopy or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to detect dysphagia in patients with neurological disorders: systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Oct 2008; 477-493.
  • Langmore, S.E., Skarupski, K.A., Park, P.S., Fries, B.E. Predictors of aspiration pneumonia in nursing home residents. Dysphagia. 2002; 10.1007/s00455-002-0072-1.
  • Leder, S.B., Espinosa, M.S. Aspiration risk after acute stroke: comparison of clinical examination and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Dysphagia. 2002; 17:214-218.
  • Smith CH, Logemann JA, Colangelo LA, Rademaker AW, Pauloski BR. Incidence and patient characteristics associated with silent aspiration in the acute care setting. Dysphagia 1999; 14:1-7.
  • Smithard, D.G., O’Neill, P.A., Park, C., et al. Can bedside assessment reliably exclude aspiration following acute stroke? Age and Ageing. 1998;27i(2), 99-106.
  • Murray, J, Langmore, S.E., Ginsberg, S. & Dostie, A.(1996). The significance of oropharyngeal secretions and swallowing frequency in predicting aspiration. Dysphagia, 11, 99-103.
  • Langmore, S.E. & Logemann, J.A. (1991). After the clinical bedside swallowing examination: What next? AJSLP, September, 13-20.

Literature Comparing Efficacy of Endoscopic and Fluoroscopic Swallow Evaluations

  • Bax, L., McFarlane, M. Green, E., & Miles, A.  (2014). Speech-language pathologist-led fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing:  Functional outcomes for patients with stroke.  Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 23, 195-200.
  • Dietsch, A.M., Solomon, N.P., Steele, C.M., Pelletier, C.A. The effect of barium on perceptions of taste intensity and palatability. Dysphagia. 2013.
  • Stokely, S.L., Molfenter, S.M., Steele, C.M. Effects of barium concentration on oropharyngeal swallow timing measures. Dysphagia. 2013.
  • Leder, S.B., Murray, J.T. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. Nov 2008;19(4):787-801.
  • Kelly, A.M. Assessing penetration and aspiration: How do videofluoroscopy and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing compare? Laryngoscope. 2007;117, 1732-1727.
  • Aviv, J.E. Prospective, randomized outcome study of endoscopy vs. modified barium swallow in patients with dysphagia. Laryngoscope. 2000; 110, 563-574.
  • Crary, M.A., Baron, J.  Endoscopic and Fluoroscopic Evaluations of Swallowing: Comparison of Observed and Inferred Findings.  Dysphagia. 1997;12(2).
  • Mu, C.H., Hsiao, T.Y., Chen, J.C., Chang, Y.C., &Lee, S.Y. Evaluation of swallowing safety with fiberoptic endoscope: Comparison with video fluoroscopic technique.  Laryngoscope. 1997;107, 396-401.
  • Bastian R.  Video endoscopic evaluation of patients with dysphagia:  an adjunct to the modified barium swallow.  Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery; 1991. 104(3):339-50.
  • Langmore, S.E., Schatz, K., & Olsen, N.  Endoscopic and video fluoroscopic evaluations of swallowing and aspiration.  Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 1991;100(8), 678-681.
  • Warnecke, T.  Fiberoptic Endoscopic Dysphagia Severity Scale Predicts Outcome after Acute Stroke.  Cerebrovascular Diseases.  2009; 28:283-289.
  • Ajemian, M.S.  Routine Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Following Prolonged intubation:  Implications for Management.  Arch Surg.  2001; 136(4):434-437
  • Leder, S. B., Sasaki, C. T., & Burrell, M. I. (1998). Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Dysphagia to Identify Silent Aspiration. Dysphagia, 13(1), 19-21.
  • Madden, C., Fenton, J., Hughes, J., & Timon, C. (2000). Comparison between videofluoroscopy and milk-swallow endoscopy in the assessment of swallowing function. Clinical Otolaryngology, 25(6), 504-506.
  • Rao N., Brady, S. L., Chaudhuri, G., Donselli J. J., & Wesling, M. W. (2003). Gold-standard? Analysis of the videofluoroscopic and fiberoptic endoscopic swallow examinations. Journal of Applied Research, 3(1), 89-96.

Literature Listing Information Obtainable through FEES

  1. Evidence of aspiration/penetration after the swallow, and how fatigue can impact swallow function can be appreciated to a greater level on FEES because the recording lasts longer than the MBSS.
  2. The direct visualization, in color, of anatomy during FEES allows for assessment of tissue/muscle function and anatomical variants, providing insight into the true etiology for the dysphagia.
  3. FEES has proven to be a good assessment of vocal cord function and saliva management, high risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonia.
  4. FEES allows the clinician to observe the transition from breathing to apnea during swallowing.
  5. Aspiration occurs about 25% of the time BEFORE the swallow, about 10% DURING the swallow, and about 65% AFTER the swallow.
  • Takahashi, N, Kikutani, T, Tamura, F., Groher, M., & Kuboki, T. Videoendoscopic assessment of swallowing function to predict the future incidence of pneumonia of the elderly. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2012; 39; 429-437.
  • Butler, S.G., Maslan, J., Stuart, A., Leng, X., Wilhelm, E., Lintzenich, C.R., Williamson, J., & Kritchevsky, S.B. (2011). Factors influencing bolus dwell times in healthy older adults assessed endoscopically.  Laryngoscope, Dec; 121(12): 2526-34.
  • Allen, J.E., White, C.J., Leonard, R.J., Belafsky, P.C> Prevalence of penetration and aspiration on videofluoroscopy in normal individuals without dysphagia.  Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Feb 2010; 142(2): 208-13.
  • Warnecke, T., Ritter, M.A., Kroger, B., Oelenberg, S., Teismann, I., Heuschmann, P.U., Ringelstein, E.B., Nabavi, D.G., Dziewas, R. Fiberoptic endoscopic dysphagia severity scale predicts outcome after acute stroke. Cerebrovascular Disease. July 2009;28(3):283-9
  • Langmore, S., Endoscopic Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders. 2001; 120,125.131.Aviv, J.E. Prospective, randomized outcome study of endoscopy vs. modified barium swallow in patients with dysphagia. Laryngoscope. 2000; 100, 563-574.
  • Leder, S.B. & Sasaki, C.T. (2001). Use of FEES to assess and manage patients with head and neck cancer. In Langmore, S.E., editor. Endoscopic evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders. New York: Thieme; 201-212.
  • Smith, C.H., Logemann, J.A., Colangelo, L.A., Rademaker, A.W., Pauloski, B.R. Incidence and patient characteristics associated with silent aspiration in the acute care setting. Dysphagia. 1999; 14: 1-7.
  • McCulloch T.M., Langmore S.E., Palmer P.M, Jaffe D. Timing of glossopharyngeal events during swallow: a combined electromyographic and endoscopic evaluation. Dysphagia. 1998;13:123.
  • McCulloch T.M., Langmore S.E., Palmer P.M. Timing of glottis closure during swallow: a combined electromyographic and endoscopic evaluation. Dysphagia. 1997;12:111.
  • Murray, J., Langmore, S.E., Ginsberg, S., & Dostie, A. The significance of accumulated oropharyngeal secretions and swallowing frequency in predicting aspiration.  Dysphagia 1996; 11:99-103.

Literature Examining Safety of FEES

  1. Of the potential risks associated with endoscopy, including gagging, epistaxis, laryngospasm, and vasovagal response; a mild case of epistaxis is the most prevalent.
  2. The rate of complications associated with FEES is less than 1% overall.
  3. FEES has proven to be a safe and well tolerated method of assessing swallow function when performed by a trained Speech Language Pathologist.
  • Nacci A, Matteucci J, Romeo SO, Santopadre S, Cavaliere MD, Barillari MR, Berrettini S, Fattori B.; 2016. Complications with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in 2,820 Examinations. ENT, Audiology and Phoniatrics Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Italy. Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2016;68(1):37-45. doi: 10.1159/000446985. Epub 2016 Jul 26.
  • Warnecke, T., Teismann, I., Oslenber, S., Hamacher, C., Ringelstein, E.B., Schabitz, W.R., & Dziewas, R.; 2009. The safety of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in acute stroke patients. Retrieved July 18, 2009 from www.stroke.ahajournals.org.
  • Aviv, J.E., Murray, T., Zschommler, A., Cohen, M., Gartner, C.  Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing: patient characteristics and analysis of safety in 1340 consecutive examinations.  Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2005;114:173-176.
  • Cohen, M.A., Setzen, M., Perlman, P.W., Ditkoff, M., Mattucci, K.F., Guss, J.  The safety of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing in an outpatient otolaryngology setting.  Laryngoscope.  2003;113:21-24.
  • Aviv, J.E., Kaplan, S.T., Thompson, J.E., Spitzer, J., Diamond, B., Close, L.G.  The safety of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing: an analysis of 500 consecutive evaluations. Dysphagia. 2000;15:39-44.
  • Wu, C.H., Hsiao, T.Y., Chen, J.C., Chang, Y.C., &Lee, S.Y. Evaluation of swallowing safety with fiberoptic endoscope: Comparison with video fluoroscopic technique.  Laryngoscope. 1997; 107, 396-401.

Literature Addressing Patient Comfort and Anesthesia of FEES

  1. Studies show that endoscope placement does not adversely affect swallow function.
  2. When trained, experienced SLPs perform FEES, the incidence of complications and pt intolerance is minimal.
  3. Low levels of lidocaine can enhance exam tolerability without negatively impacting swallow scores.
  4. Higher levels of topical anesthesia or vasoconstrictors may lead to an increase in penetration/aspiration scores.
  • O’Dea, Meredith B., Langmore, Susan E., Krisciunas, Gintas P., Walsh, Michael, Zanchetti, Linsey L., Scheel, Rebecca, McNally, Edell, Kaneoka, Asako Satoh, Guarino, Anthony J., Butler, Susan G. (2015)  Effect of Lidocaine on Swallowing During FEES in Patients With Dysphagia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, Vol. 124(7) 537–544
  • Kamarunas, E.E., McCullough, G.H., Guidry, T.J., Mennemeier, M. & Schluteman, K. (2014). Effects of topical nasal anesthetic on Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing with Sensory Testing (FEESST).Dysphagia, 29 (1), 33-43.
  • Kamarunas, E.E., McCullough, G.H., Guidry, T.J., Mennemeier, M., Schulterman, K. Effects of topical nasal anesthetic on fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing with sensory testing. Dysphagia. July 2013.
  • Lester, S., Langmore, S.E., Lintzenich, C.R., Wright, S.C., Grace-Martin, K., Fife, T., Butler, S.G. The effects of topical anesthetic on swallowing during nasoendoscopy. Laryngoscope. July 2013; 123(7):1704-8.
  • Suiter, D. M., & Moorhead, M. K. Effects of flexible fiberoptic endoscopy on pharyngeal swallow physiology. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;956-858.
  • Singh, V., Brockbank, M.J., & Todd, G.B. Swallowing and sensation: Evaluation of deglutition in the anesthetized larynx. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2002, 111, 291-294.
  • Leder, S.B., Ross, D.A., Briskin, K.B., Sasaki, C.T.  A prospective, double-blind, randomized study on the use of a topical anesthetic, vasoconstrictor, and placebo during transnasal flexible fiberoptic endoscopy.  Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research.  1997;40:1352-1357.
  • Singh, V., Brockbank, M.J., Todd, G.B.  Flexible transnasal endoscopy: is local anesthetic necessary?  Journal of Laryngology and Otology.  1997;111:616-618

Literature showing support for FEES in reducing hospital re-admissions

  • Mor, V., Intrator, O., Feng, Z., & Grabowski, D. C. (2010). The Revolving Door of Rehospitalization From Skilled Nursing Facilities. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 29(1), 57–64. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0629
  • Coleman EA, Min S, Chomiak A, Kramer AM. “Post-Hospital Care Transitions: Patterns, Complications, and Risk Identification.” Health Services Research 2004:37(5):1423-1440.
  • Donelan-McCall, N., T. Eilertsen, R. Fish, and A. Kramer. 2006. Small Patient Pop- ulation and Low Frequency Event Effects on the Stability of SNF Quality Measures. Washington, DC: MedPAC.