Routine fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing following prolonged intubation: implications for management

Hypothesis Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) will identify patients who are at high risk for pulmonary aspiration due to swallowing dysfunction after prolonged intubation. Based on the results of FEES, dietary recommendations can be made to decrease the incidence of aspiration after prolonged intubation. Design Patients who were intubated for at least 48 hours were evaluated for swallowing dysfunction by bedside FEES within 48 hours of extubation. Differences in potential risk factors between aspirators and nonaspirators were analyzed. Dietary recommendations were made and patients were followed up for signs of clinically significant aspiration. Setting Community teaching hospital. Patients Fifty-one consecutive patients with no previously documented swallowing disorder who required a minimum of 48 hours of intubation for mechanical ventilation. Interventions Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was performed by a speech pathologist. Initial diet orders were determined by results of the swallowing study. Main Outcome Measures Incidence of swallowing dysfunction following prolonged intubation and incidence of clinically significant aspiration following initiation of oral feeding. Results Incidence of swallowing dysfunction was 56% (27/48); 12 (25%) of 48 patients were silent aspirators. In comparing aspirators with nonaspirators, no significant differences in potential risk factors or comorbidities were seen. Nineteen (70%) of the 27 patients aspirated with thin-consistency test liquids, and the other 8 (30%) with puree consistency. No patients in this study group developed a clinically significant aspiration following initiation of appropriately modified diets. Conclusions Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing identified swallowing dysfunction in more than 50% of patients intubated for longer than 48 hours, many of whom are silent aspirators. Dietary recommendations based on FEES results prevented clinically significant aspiration.