• C-A Bader and G Niemann.
• Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Universitätsklinikum, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 5, 72076 Tübingen. carl-albert.bader@med.uni-tuebingen.de
• HNO. 2008 Apr 1; 56 (4): 397-401.

BackgroundThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing in the pediatric patient by focusing on its feasibility and typical complications.Patients And MethodsFrom 1997 to 2005, 164 children and young persons with swallowing disorders, who had not previously undergone endoscopic examination, presented for fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing. Of these patients, 47% were age 6 years or younger. The most frequent reasons for the swallowing disorders were neurogenous (87%).ResultsIn 129 of the 164 patients (78.6%), relevant informations about swallowing pathology was obtained. Because of anatomical restrictions or lack of cooperation, endoscopic examination was impossible in eight cases (4.9%). In 27 patients (16.5%) the procedure had to be terminated early because of inadequate cooperation. Severe complications concerning the endoscopic procedure did not occur.ConclusionsFiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing turned out to be a feasible tool for the diagnostics of pediatric swallowing disorders. Its complications are rare if basic precautions are respected.

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