Effects of flexible fiberoptic endoscopy on pharyngeal swallow physiology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope in the pharynx affects swallow physiology. Study Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Subjects and Methods: Fourteen individuals with normal swallow function, 23 to 83 years of age, completed a videofluoroscopic swallow study with and without a 3.5 mm flexible fiberoptic endoscope maintained in the "high" position, ie, below the velopharyngeal port and above the epiglottis. Each study was analyzed for three swallow duration measures, number of swallows necessary to clear the bolus, and penetration-aspiration scale scores. Results: No significant (P > 0.05) main effects for condition were found for swallow duration, penetration-aspiration scale scores and number of swallows to clear the bolus. Conclusion: The presence of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope in the pharynx during swallowing did not significantly affect pharyngeal swallow physiology in the patients studied, but we cannot exclude a false-negative conclusion because of low statistical power.