FEES as a second-stage diagnostic tool in 117 patients with dysphagia.

Abstract

In 1988, Langmore et al. developed fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) as a safe and reliable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of dysphagia.1 Currently, FEES represents the gold standard in oropharyngeal dysphagia, although videofluoroscopy may supplement clinical assessment in select cases.2 One or a work pair speech-language therapists (SLTs) most often serve as endoscopists during FEES. In Finland, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or a phoniatrics specialist as well as an SLT perform FEES either together or alone. Although this work-pair setting is considered superior vis-à-vis safety and precision, a limited amount of research exists on various aspects of the care pathway for patients with dysphagia at a tertiary health care centre.