Supporting patients with altered airways and swallowing impairment in head and neck and critical care populations.

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Dr Lee Pryor

Speech Pathologist

Lee’s primary goal is to support patients through their head and neck cancer journey and optimise their speech and swallowing function through evidence-based assessment and intervention.

  • Routine Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

  • Modified Barium Swallow analysis and patient feedback

  • Education and advice

  • Assessment before, during and after treatment 

  • Early identification and intervention

  • Measuring and mapping functional outcomes

  • Liaison with medical specialists, nursing and allied health

  • Telehealth options available

  • Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy specialist

  • Assessment and management of complex swallowing impairment arising from critical illness, injury and/or post surgery

    • Advanced Speech Pathologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital

    • Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, Speech Pathology Australia

    • Affiliate Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide

    • Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society

  • Pryor L, Bassiouni A, Dale O, Goggin R, Badlani J, Cheng A, Foreman A, Hodge JC. A randomised crossover trial examining the perceived clinical benefits of fenestrated tracheostomy tubes in head and neck patients. Australia Journal of Otolaryngology, 2024;7:11.

    Pryor L, Baldwin C, Ward E, Cornwell P, O’Connor S, Chapman M, Bersten A. Tracheostomy tube type and inner cannula selection impact pressure and resistance to airflow. Respiratory Care, 2016; 61(5):607-14.

    Pryor L, Ward E, Cornwell P, O’Connor S, Chapman M. Patterns of return to oral intake and decannulation post-tracheostomy across clinical populations in an acute inpatient setting. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 2016 ; 51(5):556- 67.

    Pryor L, Ward E, Cornwell P, O’Connor S, Chapman M. Clinical indicators associated with successful tracheostomy cuff deflation. Australian Critical Care, 2016; 29: 132–137.

    Pryor L, Ward E, Cornwell P, O’Connor S, Chapman M. Establishing phonation using the Blom® tracheostomy tube system: A report of three cases post cervical spinal cord injury. Speech, Language & Hearing, 2016; 19(4): 227-237.

    Pryor L, Ward E, Cornwell P, O’Connor S, Finnis M, Chapman M. Impact of nasogastric tubes on swallowing physiology in older, healthy subjects: A randomized controlled crossover trial. Clinical Nutrition, 2015;34:572-578.

FAQs

  • Preferred assessment is via Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). A small camera is inserted through the nose to allow direct view of the inside of the throat (including vocal cords), while you are talking and swallowing.

Resources

Head and neck cancer

Global trach

Contact us

For more information regarding referral process or with patient queries, please contact us.