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Vincent Cumberworth BSc FRCS Consultant Ear,
Nose and Throat Surgeon
Clementine Churchill Hospital Sudbury Hill Harrow Middlesex HA1 3RX
Private Secretary: Tel: 020 8872 3866 Fax: 0208872
3861
Information is supplied only upon the condition that the viewer will
make their own determination as to the suitability of the
information for its purposes prior to use. There will be no
responsibility for information that is misused or misinterpreted and
the information should not be used as a substitute for consultation
with a health care professional. It is not possible to answer
questions regarding individual cases or to enter into individual
correspondence.
Microlaryngoscopy & Oesophagoscopy
Microlaryngoscopy is a procedure performed under general
anaesthetic to permit examination of the larynx and particularly
with the vocal cords. Indications include uncertainty about the
nature of a problem with the voice, requiring a more detailed
examination, or when a small swelling, such as a polyp or nodule,
has been seen which needs to be removed and then examined for
histology.
After microlaryngoscopy the throat may be a little sore but this
should settle over a day or so and typically the procedure will be
performed as a day case. The voice is not necessarily immediately
better and sometimes post-operative voice therapy is required. There
is also a small associated risk to the teeth; if caps or crowns are
weak or loose then these can be displaced but damage to healthy
teeth is quite unusual, albeit a small risk does still remain.
Oesophagoscopy is a procedure which permits examination of the
oesophagus, or gullet. During the course of this a tube is passed to
permit an accurate view of the area. Occasionally a biopsy may be
required and there may, as above, be a little soreness after the
procedure. For this procedure be prepared to stay in overnight;
eating and drinking may be delayed for a few hours and often first
recommences with a trial swallow of sterile water. The risk
mentioned above, relating to damage to the teeth, does also exist
for this procedure and is, typically small.
© Vincent Cumberworth 2005
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