|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Laryngoscope Medical Procedures

Laryngoscopes are devices designed to allow visual examination of the throat, vocal cords and voice box (larynx). They come in three basic forms: rigid tubes, flexible tubes and fiber-optic units. When laryngoscopes are used, the term for the procedure is laryngoscopy. In addition to diagnosing vocal problems, laryngoscopy can be used to diagnose breathing and swallowing difficulties, persistent coughs, ear or throat pain and physical restrictions of the throat.

  1. Before Your Procedure

    • According to the nonprofit Aurora Health Care, your doctor may order a number of tests prior to your laryngoscopy. These include a physical exam, chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan, which uses a computer to generate images of your body's interior. In addition, your doctor may ask you to swallow a substance called barium, which will improve the quality of X-ray images. You may also need to suspend use of certain medications in the week before your procedure. These include anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, and blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and clopidogrel (Plavix).

    Indirect Laryngoscopy

    • In some cases, prior to your main laryngoscopy your doctor will perform what is called an indirect laryngoscopy. In this procedure, you will sit upright in a chair and open your mouth. After numbing the surface of your throat with an anesthetic, your doctor will insert a warm mirror and examine your larynx. He will also check for obvious physical problems such as the presence of foreign objects.

    Rigid and Flexible Laryngoscopes

    • Typically, an indirect laryngoscopy is followed by direct examination. If your laryngoscopy is performed with a rigid or flexible laryngoscope, you will likely receive general anesthesia to deaden your body's natural resistance to having an object in your throat. These procedures are typically done in an operating room. During your laryngoscopy, your doctor will insert a laryngoscope into your throat and look through an eyepiece at its end to focus on the surface under examination. If necessary, he will also take tissue samples, remove growths from your vocal cords or pull out any foreign objects.

    Fiber-Optic Laryngoscopes

    • If your laryngoscopy is performed with a fiber-optic unit, you will receive a local anesthetic to numb your throat and dull your natural gag reflex. Your doctor will then insert a flexible fiber-optic tube through one of your nostrils and down into your throat. Using a light-gathering magnifier attached to the tube, he will then examine your vocal cords, larynx or throat and take pictures of what he finds. In some cases, a fiber-optic laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth instead of the nose. If needed, general anesthetic may also be substituted for local anesthetic.

    Outcomes

    • An indirect laryngoscopy will take just a few minutes. Depending on your needs, your main procedure may last anywhere from five to 45 minutes. If growths are removed during your procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Potential complications of a laryngoscope include breathing and swallowing difficulties, bleeding, increasing pain and infection. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects occur.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles