Incidence of Post-extubation Swallowing Disorders at the Critical Care Unit, by means of Fiberoptic Evaluation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is a technique that allows the study of the physiology of swallowing. This technique can be applied at the patient's bedside, making it a very attractive choice for the critical care unit (CCU), since it is not necessary to transfer the patient to another place in order to carry out the evaluation. Objective: Feasibility to carry out the FEES at the patient's bedside at the CCU and assess the incidence of swallowing disorders in extubated patients. Materials and Methods: Comparative, prospective, analytical cohort study conducted 24 hours after extubation for a period of 6 months, including consecutively all the patients who received mechanical ventilation for a period ≥ 48 hours. The enrollment began in March, 2015. Results: 31 patients were included in the protocol. The incidence of swallowing disorders in extubated patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) was 58%, 95% CI [confidence interval] (0.407-0.735) with 18 patients presenting disorders out of 31 evaluated cases. The significant differences between the groups of patients with and without swallowing disorders defined by the FEES were: the post-extubation time until the FEES, the capacity to tolerate the FEES at upright sitting position (90°) vs. semi-upright sitting position (60°), the abnormality of the Langmore scale and the abnormal movement of the vocal cords. The complication registered in both groups was the presence of oxygen saturation < 90%. Conclusion: This study shows that the implementation of the FEES as a method for detecting swallowing disorders (at the patient's bedside) is safe