Having Fiberoptic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

A fiberoptic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) test is used to see where the problem is in your throat if you have trouble swallowing (dysphagia). Having trouble swallowing can lead to serious problems, such as inhaling food or liquids (aspiration). This can lead to a lung infection. During the test, a thin, flexible tool called an endoscope is put into your nose. Parts of your throat are viewed as you swallow. The test is done by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT or otolaryngologist). An SLP has special training in the areas of speech, language, voice, and swallowing.

What to tell your doctor

Tell the SLP about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. This also includes herbs, supplements, and any medicine that thins the blood. You may need to stop taking some medicines before the test. Also tell the SLP if you have had any surgery to your neck, throat, or nose.

Getting ready for your FEES test

Before your FEES test, your SLP may want to put you on a special diet. This is to help prevent aspiration. You should only eat and drink what is on the list from your SLP. The SLP will direct you if there is anything else you need to do to get ready.

During your test

If you are in the hospital, the test may be done in your hospital room. You may also have the test at a doctor's office or clinic. The test often takes around 20 minutes. In general, you can expect the following:

• During the test, you’ll be seated and awake. Sometimes an anesthetic will be sprayed in your nose so you don’t feel the endoscope. Sometimes it will not be used as it might alter the results of the test if your throat is too numb. That decision will be made by the therapist or other doctor. 

• The SLP puts the endoscope through your nose and down into your throat (pharynx). You may feel mild discomfort. You may have a sense of tightness or gagging. The anesthetic can reduce this.

• The endoscope sits above your epiglottis for most of the viewing. It then can be moved down after each swallow so the vocal folds may be seen. The endoscope lets your SLP see parts of your voice box (larynx), throat, and windpipe (trachea) on a video screen.

• The SLP looks at the video screen to see how well you are swallowing and if you are breathing in secretions (aspirating). Your SLP will look at how well secretions are swallowed. They will look at how well breathing and swallowing happen together and how well the airway closes off. They will also be able to see if there are any problems with the shape (anatomy) of your throat.

• Small amounts of air may be puffed into your throat. This is to test the nerves in your throat.

• You will be asked to swallow small amounts of food or liquids of various thicknesses during the test. These will contain contrast dye so they can be seen on the screen.

• At the end of the test, the endoscope will be removed from your throat and nose.

After your test

The SLP may tell you the results right away. You may even watch a video of the test. If you had the test in a doctor's office or clinic, you will be able to drive yourself home after the exam. You can probably go back to your normal activities right away.

If you have dysphagia

If the test shows that you have problems swallowing, the SLP will make a treatment plan for you. This is to prevent aspiration. You may need to change your diet or to drink only liquids of a certain thickness. You may also need to change your position while you eat. You may learn special mouth exercises and methods to help you swallow. Follow all directions to help you reduce your risk of problems, such as pneumonia from aspiration.