ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Investigate the feasibility and outcomes of fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) following a programme of prophylactic swallowing exercises in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy. DESIGN: Prospective, single cohort, feasibility study. SETTING: Three head and neck cancer centres in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: Pre-radiotherapy HNC patients who consented to participate in a prophylactic swallowing intervention. OUTCOME MEASURES: Fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing recruitment and retention rates, assessment acceptability and compliance, qualitative process evaluation. RESULTS: Higher rates of recruitment and retention were achieved in centres where FEES equipment was available on-site. Travel and anticipated discomfort were barriers to recruitment. Data completion was high for all rating scales, with good reliability. Following radiotherapy, swallowing safety significantly deteriorated for liquid boluses (P = 0.005-0.03); pharyngeal residue increased for liquid and semi-solid boluses. Pharyngo-laryngeal oedema was present pre-treatment and significantly increased post-radiotherapy (P = 0.001). Patients generally reported positive experience of FEES for their own learning and establishing a baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is an acceptable method of assessing patients for a prophylactic swallowing intervention and offers some additional information missing from VF. Barriers have been identified and should be taken into account in order to maximise recruitment for future trials.
