Contents:
Medical Video: Neonatal Videolaryngoscopy-Airway Anatomy
Definition
What is direct laryngoscopy?
Laryngoscopy is an examination in which the doctor looks at the back of the throat, voice box (larynx), and your vocal cords with a laryngoscope. There are two types of laryngoscopy, and each uses different equipment.
In direct laryngoscopy, your doctor can see your throat deeper. This can be done in two ways.
- Flexible laryngoscopy, using thin, flexible pipes and optical fiber with lights and camera lenses at the end called the laryngoscope. The surgeon inserts the laryngoscope through the nose to the back of the mouth. This is used for examination and making a diagnosis.
- Rigid laryngoscopy, using specially designed pipes that are inserted through the mouth. The tool can then enter through a tube to remove obstacles in the throat, or it may be used to take tissue samples (biopsy), remove polyps (growth) from the vocal cords or perform laser treatments.
Both flexible and rigid laryngoscopic procedures are usually performed by ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons.
When do I need to undergo direct laryngoscopy?
Health care providers may recommend this test if you experience:
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- respiratory problems, including voice breathing (stridor)
- chronic cough
- coughing up blood
- difficulty swallowing
- ear pain that doesn't go away
- feeling something is stuck in the throat
- long-term upper respiratory problems in smokers
- tumor in the head or neck area with signs of cancer
- a sore throat that doesn't go away
- sound problems lasting more than 3 weeks, including hoarseness, weakness, or no sound at all
Direct laryngoscopy may also be useful for:
- take tissue samples in the throat for closer examination under a microscope (biopsy)
- take objects that block airways (for example marbles or coins that are swallowed)
Rigid direct laryngoscopy is generally recommended for:
- children
- people who easily choke due to structural abnormalities of the throat
- people who may have symptoms of laryngeal or pharyngeal disease
- people who have not responded to the treatment of laryngeal symptoms
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing direct laryngoscopy?
Flexible scopes will improve your throat and the process is more comfortable for you. Rigid scopes are often used in operations.
Process
What should I do before undergoing direct laryngoscopy?
Talk to your doctor about the plan for carrying out the procedure, and what you need in preparation. The doctor will tell you not to eat and drink for 8 hours before the examination, if you get certain types of anesthesia. If you get mild anesthesia (which you usually get when you check in a doctor's office), you don't need to fast. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medication you are taking. You may be told to stop taking several drugs, including aspirin and certain blood thinning medications such as Plavix, until a week before the procedure.
What is the direct laryngoscopy process?
The doctor will use a thin and flexible spade to see the throat. You might get medication to dry secretions in your nose and throat. This let the doctor see more clearly. Topical anesthesia may be sprayed in the throat to make numbness. The sphere is placed inside the nose and then gently transferred into the throat. After the scoop enters the throat, the doctor may spray more medication to keep the throat numb during the examination. The doctor may also wipe or spray medication into the nose which opens the nasal passages to open the airways.
Rigid direct laryngoscopy
Before you undergo rigid laryngoscopy, remove all jewelry, dentures, and glasses. You must urinate before the examination. You will be given clothes or paper dresses to wear. Rigid direct laryngoscopy is performed in the operating room. You will go to sleep (general anesthesia) and not feel a spade in the throat.
You will lie on your stomach during this procedure. After falling asleep, a rigid laryngoscope is placed in the mouth and throat. The doctor will be able to see the voice box (larynx) and vocal cords. Rigid laryngoscopy may also be useful for removing foreign objects in the throat, collecting tissue samples (biopsy), removing polyps from the vocal cords, and performing laser treatments. The examination takes 15-30 minutes. You might get an ice bag to use in the throat to prevent swelling.
What should I do after direct laryngoscopy?
After the procedure, you will be watched by a nurse for several hours until you really wake up and can swallow. Do not eat or drink anything for about 2 hours after laryngoscopy or until you can swallow without choking. You can then start with a few sips of water. When it's ready, you can eat normally. Do not clean the throat or cough hard for several hours after laryngoscopy. If the vocal cords are affected during laryngoscopy, rest the sound completely for 3 days. If you speak, do it with a normal tone of voice and don't talk too long. Whispering or shouting can hurt the vocal cords during healing. You may sound hoarse for about 3 weeks after laryngoscopy if tissue is taken. If a nodule or wound is removed from the vocal cords, you may have to rest your voice completely (without speaking, whispering, or making other sounds) for up to 2 weeks.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
After the procedure, the doctor will discuss the results and treatment options or send you to another doctor. If you undergo a biopsy, it will take 3-5 days to find the results.
Normal
The throat (larynx) does not swell, hurt, narrow, or have foreign objects. The vocal cords do not have scarring, growth (tumors), or signs that do not move properly (paralysis).
Abnormal
The larynx swells, hurts, narrows, has a tumor, or a foreign body. The vocal cords have scarring or signs of paralysis.
Abnormal results may be due to:
- acid reflux (GERD), which can make the vocal cords red and swollen
- throat cancer or voice box
- nodule on the vocal cords
- polyps (benign tumors) in the voice box
- swollen throat
- thinning of muscles and voice box tissue (presbylaryngis)
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
