Details of Laryngoscopy

A small device is used to look into the throat and larynx. This process is called laryngoscopy. This may be done to figure out why one has a cough or sore throat, to find and remove something that is stuck in there, or to take of the tissues to look at later.

Types:

Indirect laryngoscopy: A simple mirror and light.

Direct fiber-optic laryngoscopy: Also called flexible laryngoscopy. Small telescope at the end of a cable, which goes up the nose and down into the throat.

Direct laryngoscopy: Tongue is pushed down and epiglottis is lifted up with a laryngoscope.

• Something stuck in throat
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Earache that won’t go away
• Examining something that could signify a more serious problem like cancer
• Need to remove a growth

• Bleeding
• Hoarseness
• Gagging or vomiting
• Infection