Laryngoscopy
Hoarseness lasting more than three weeks needs the vocal cords looked at, particularly in smokers. A flexible endoscope passed through the nose shows them directly in a few minutes, in clinic, with only a local spray.
- Takes a few minutes in clinic
- Local spray only for diagnostic scope
- Direct view of the vocal cords
- Biopsy under anaesthesia where needed
Stay
Outpatient, or day care if under anaesthesia
Duration
5 minutes in clinic; 30 minutes under anaesthesia
Anaesthesia
Local spray, or general for operative procedures
About Laryngoscopy
Flexible laryngoscopy is done awake in the clinic and shows the vocal cords moving, which matters for assessing function as well as appearance. Where a lesion needs biopsy or removal, microlaryngoscopy is done under general anaesthesia with the patient asleep, allowing precise work under a microscope.
- Flexible scope shows the cords moving, not just their appearance
- Takes a few minutes and needs only local spray
- Operative procedures are done asleep under a microscope
- Three weeks of hoarseness is the threshold for looking
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about laryngoscopy. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest laryngoscopy.
- Hoarseness lasting more than three weeks
- Persistent throat clearing or a lump sensation
- Difficulty or pain on swallowing
- Voice change in a smoker
- Suspected vocal cord nodules or polyps
- Breathing noise or stridor
- Chronic cough with throat symptoms
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Clinic examination
Local anaesthetic spray to the nose, then a thin flexible scope passed through it to view the voice box. It takes a few minutes.
Assessment
The cords are examined at rest and while speaking, which shows both appearance and movement.
Operative laryngoscopy
Where a lesion needs biopsy or removal, this is done under general anaesthesia using a microscope for precision.
Results and voice care
Findings are explained the same day, with speech therapy referral where the problem is voice use rather than disease.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- No preparation is needed for a clinic laryngoscopy
- Fasting is required if an operative procedure under anaesthesia is planned
- Note how long the hoarseness has lasted and whether it fluctuates
- Note smoking and alcohol history, as both matter here
- Bring details of voice use if you sing or teach
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- After clinic laryngoscopy, do not eat or drink until the numbness wears off, about thirty minutes
- After operative laryngoscopy, complete voice rest is often required for several days
- A sore throat for a day or two is normal after operative procedures
- Biopsy results usually take about a week
- Speech therapy is arranged where voice use is the underlying problem
Why choose Humayun for laryngoscopy
Persistent hoarseness should be looked at rather than watched, and looking takes minutes.
- Flexible laryngoscopy available in the clinic, so hoarseness is examined at the first visit
- Three weeks treated as the threshold for looking, particularly in smokers
- Microlaryngoscopy available where biopsy or removal is needed
- Speech therapy referral where the problem is how the voice is used rather than disease
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