Directoscopy, or direct microlaryngology or laryngeal endoscopy, is a diagnostic procedure during which you can carefully inspect the larynx. Directoscopy allows access to hard-to-reach areas, which can also be viewed in a magnification. Moreover, directoscopy is a therapeutic procedure during which lesions around the larynx can be removed. What is directoscopy? What are the indications for its implementation?

Directoscopy , also known as direct microlaryngology orlaryngeal colonoscopy , is a procedure that involves viewing the larynx using a laryngoscope that is equipped with light and wide-angle lenses, thanks to which it is possible to obtain an image of the hard-to-reach area of ​​the larynx under magnification. Additionally, at the end of the speculum there is a camera, thanks to which the image of the larynx is visible on the computer monitor.

Directoscopy - indications

Directoscopy has both a diagnostic and a therapeutic purpose. Thanks to it, it is possible to examine the condition of the larynx (supraglottic, glottis and subglottic areas), the upper part of the trachea and the lower pharynx - assess the color of the mucosa, any unevenness, ulcerations, elevations, etc., the mobility of the vocal cords and the shape of the lower pharynx. What is also important - if a tumor is suspected, a section of the lesion can be taken for histological examination. In addition, thanks to directoscopy, some medical procedures can be performed, e.g. removal of changes from the vocal folds or from other areas of the larynx, e.g. polyps or cysts.

Therefore, the indications for directoscopy will be:

  • assessment of the larynx in people in whom examination without anesthesia is not possible and the symptoms suggest that the larynx is suffering from a disease
  • foreign body in the larynx
  • intra-laryngeal drug delivery
  • chronic hypertrophic laryngitis
  • polyps, singing nodules, cysts
  • Reinke's edema (vocal fold disease)
  • precancerous conditions - leukoplakia, pachydermia
  • laryngeal papillomas

Pregnancy is a contraindication to directoscopy.

Directoscopy - how to prepare?

Eating or drinking is not recommended for at least 6 hours before the test. Those who wear an artificial jaw should remove it during a laryngeal endoscopy.

Directoscopy - on whatis it?

The patient lies down on his back. Then he is given general anesthesia (intubation or intravenous sleep, no intubation). Then a tube with a camera is inserted into the larynx, thanks to which the area of ​​the larynx can be assessed. If there is such a need, the doctor removes the lesions using microsurgical tools or takes a sample for histopathological examination.

Directoscopy - after the procedure

After the procedure, the patient remains in the hospital for 1-2 days. You can start eating and drinking a few hours after the end of the treatment. The first control is carried out 7 days after the directoscopy. Besides, the patient should save his voice.

Directoscopy - complications

After the procedure, complications may occur, such as: change in the color of the voice, hoarseness, sore throat, swelling in the throat, cough, injury to the mucosa of the throat or larynx, bleeding from the throat, subcutaneous emphysema, cut lip, broken tooth, laryngeal edema immediately after removal of the endotracheal tube or a few hours after the procedure.

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In rare cases, laryngeal edema may occur, which requires a tracheotomy (i.e. cutting the trachea and inserting a tube into it that provides air supply to the lungs), dislocation of the laryngeal cartilage, pneumothorax, or even perforation (perforation) of the lower pharynx.

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