How To Do Flexible Laryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy may be indicated for the evaluation of patients with the following:

• Chronic cough

• Chronic throat pain

• Dysphagia

• Dysphonia

• Foreign body in the throat

• Hoarseness or change in voice

• Odynophagia

• Sensation of a lump in the throat

• Symptoms of aspiration

• Sometimes hemoptysis

In particular, patients at high risk of head and neck cancer (eg, heavy smokers or alcohol users) may benefit from laryngoscopy, especially if they have had hoarseness, sore throat, or ear pain for > 2 weeks.

Laryngoscopy can also be useful to evaluate the airway prior to orotracheal intubation.

Urgent laryngoscopy may be indicated in patients with angioedema, stridor, epistaxis, and/or craniofacial trauma.

Flexible laryngoscopy can be tried for patients who do not tolerate direct laryngoscopy.

Absolute contraindications

• Suspected epiglottitis

Relative contraindications

• Stridor

• Angioedema

• Active epistaxis or an uncontrolled bleeding disorder

In patients with stridor or angioedema, stimulation of the laryngopharynx may further compromise the airway. If laryngoscopy is essential, it should be done in the controlled setting of an operating room with a person skilled at difficult airway management (including surgical techniques) present.

• Injury to the mucosa, which may cause bleeding

• Laryngospasm and airway compromise

The procedure may cause gagging, coughing, and/or vomiting. Occasionally, patients have a vasovagal reaction.

• Flexible laryngoscope (nasopharyngolaryngoscope) with light source

• Gloves

• Protective eyewear

• Mask

• Nasal speculum

• Lubricant

• Wall suction connected to a Frazier-tip catheter

• Cotton swabs or pledgets for nonspray topical decongestants and/or anesthetics

• Flexible laryngoscopy provides only a limited view of the subglottic larynx and proximal trachea. To assess these regions, use another procedure, such as bronchoscopy.

• The pharynx includes the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.

• The larynx connects the pharynx to the trachea and is suspended from the hyoid bone. It includes 3 single and 3 paired cartilage structures: single (epiglottis, thyroid, and cricoid) and paired (arytenoid, cuneiform, and corniculate). The larynx extends from the tip of the epiglottis down to the inferior aspect of the cricoid cartilage and includes the vocal folds.

Larynx

3D Model

• The patient should sit upright with the head against a headrest, and leaning forward slightly.

• Legs should not be crossed.

Preparation

• Check that the laryngoscope, including the light source and suction, are working properly.

• Adjust eyepiece focus (use letters such as on drug or equipment packaging).

• Check both nares and use the one that appears more widely patent.

• Hold the nares open with a nasal speculum. Insert the speculum with the handle parallel to the floor and open the speculum vertically; stabilize your hand by placing one or two fingers against the patient's nose.

• Apply the topical vasoconstrictor/anesthetic.

Procedure

Do the following about 5 to 15 minutes after the application of the vasoconstrictor/anesthetic:

• Lubricate the laryngoscope tip.

• Insert the laryngoscope tip into the nose and advance it slowly adjacent to the inferior turbinate (either above or below) parallel to the floor of the nose.

• Advance it into the nasopharynx, inspecting the eustachian tube opening in the lateral nasopharynx and the adenoid tissue on the posterior wall.

• Tell the patient to breathe through the nose (which makes the soft palate drop). Use the thumb control on the laryngoscope to flex the tip down to go past the palate, and then straighten to avoid curling forward into the uvula.

• Inspect the base of the tongue, valleculae, epiglottis, piriform sinuses, arytenoids, false and true vocal cords, and the larynx below the vocal cords.

• Do not pass the laryngoscope through the vocal cords because contact can cause laryngospasm.

• Fully inspect the vocal cords. Instruct the patient to say "eeee," which will contract the vocal cords and allow more thorough inspection.

• Avoid touching the mucosa or epiglottis because this may provoke a gag reflex.

• Gently withdraw the laryngoscope.

• Instruct patient to avoid eating and drinking for at least 20 minutes to prevent aspiration due to residual laryngopharyngeal anesthesia.

• Inserting the scope too forcefully, causing bleeding and/or discomfort

• Losing situational awareness of the direction of the scope tip

• Using too little anesthesia or vasoconstrictor

• Give the patient a tissue prior to the procedure because tearing may occur.

• Remind the patient to breathe during the procedure because some patients reflexively hold their breath.

• Before inserting the scope, refamiliarize yourself with the tip controls.

• Ask the patient not to swallow during the procedure unless directed to help clear the scope.