What is FEES and what does it evaluate?

• A. Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing; evaluates airway protection, residue, and penetration/aspiration during swallow
• B. Fluoroscopic Endoscopy of Swallowing; evaluates esophageal motility
• C. Fiberoptic Esophageal Endoscopy; evaluates mucosal integrity
• D. Functional Endoscopy of Esophagus; evaluates LES opening and reflux

Answer: (A)

FEES stands for Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. It uses a small flexible scope passed through the nose to view the larynx and pharynx while the person swallows. The test is all about airway protection and swallow safety: you observe whether material enters the airway (penetration) or goes below the vocal folds (aspiration), and you assess how much residue remains in regions like the valleculae and pyriform sinuses after the swallow. FEES can be done at bedside and with different food consistencies to gauge how well someone can protect the airway across various textures. It focuses on the pharyngeal phase and airway safety rather than on esophageal motility, mucosal disease, LES function, or reflux, which require other tests.