What is F.E.E.S?
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is an instrumental swallowing study that is completed with the use of a small, slender endoscope being passed transnasally. The endoscope, which is equipped with a bright, clear LED light and an HD camera, allows the specially trained Speech-Language Pathologist to clearly view the patient's pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and esophageal opening while the patient is eating and drinking. These color images are projected to the attached laptop in real-time.
"When looking at patients with known aspiration, FEES has proven to be the superior procedure in identifying aspiration, penetration and pharyngeal residue."
FEES is a well-established procedure that is performed by a specially trained Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP), and provides sensitivity equal to or greater than Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies/Modified Barium Studies (VFSS/MBS) and Bedside Swallow Evaluations in determining aspiration, penetration and pharyngeal residue.Â
Research shows that clinical Bedside Swallow Evaluations (BSSE) can have unacceptably high error rates in determining appropriate diet recommendations. When looking at patients with known aspiration, FEES has proven to be the superior procedure in identifying aspiration, penetration and pharyngeal residue.
Example of FEES exam