The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale

This text is a reliable, validated, anatomically defined, and image-based tool to determine residue location and severity when performing fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Based upon research by Drs. Leder and Neubauer, an easily interpreted, readily learned, and hierarchically organized pharyngeal residue severity rating scale was developed for speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, and other health care professionals who perform and interpret FEES. The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale works equally well for any swallow of interest, whether it is the first, subsequent clearing, or last swallow. The endoscopist simply has to match their chosen swallow with its scale mate.

The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale can be used for both clinical advantages and research opportunities. Clinically, clinicians can now accurately classify vallecula and pyriform sinus residue severity as none, trace, mild, moderate, or severe for diagnostic purposes, determination of functional therapeutic change, and precise dissemination of shared information. Research uses include tracking outcomes for clinical trials, investigating various swallowing interventions, demonstrating efficacy of specific interventions to reduce pharyngeal residue, determining morbidity and mortality associated with pharyngeal residue in different patient populations, and improving the training and accuracy of FEES interpretation by students and clinicians. The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale is an important addition to the deglutologist’s tool box.