Practice and Advocacy
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examinations of Swallowing
Fiberoptic endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that may be performed by qualified health care providers (upon direct authorization of a physician) to evaluate velopharyngeal, phonatory, and swallowing functions in adults and children. Physicians are the only professionals qualified and licensed to render medical diagnoses related to the identification of pathology affecting swallowing functions.
Consequently, examinations should be viewed and interpreted by an otolaryngologist or other physician with training in this procedure. In addition, otolaryngologists or other physicians with training in fiberoptic endoscopy should supervise non-physician professionals who are performing this procedure.
Fiberoptic endoscopy may also be utilized as a therapeutic aid and biofeedback tool during the conduct of swallowing therapy. Care should be taken to use this examination only in settings that ensure patient safety.
Approved 3/1/2003
Modified 3/6/2006
Important Disclaimer Notice
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.
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- 13th Annual Charleston Magnolia Conference (05/31/13)
- International Symposium on the Pediatric Airway (05/31/13)
- 20th IFOS World Congress (06/01/13)
- Michigan Ear Institute Spring Conference (06/01/13)
- IFSO Seoul 2013 - 20th World Congress of the International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (06/01/13)
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