Transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy: an evaluation of the patient's experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient's experience of transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy under local anaesthetic in an out-patient setting. This was a clinical observational study using a patient questionnaire and visual analogue score. Subjects were 50 patients seen in the hospital's ENT outpatient clinic between March and August 2004 in whom transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy was performed and who completed pain discomfort questionnaires. Any patient undergoing transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy, for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, was included in the study. Patients in whom transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy was not necessary as part of their investigation or treatment were excluded. Patients completed a questionnaire, providing a simple visual analogue score for discomfort during the procedure. Any operative complications were noted by the surgeon. All patients completed transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy, and the upper aerodigestive tract was clearly visualized. The procedure is well tolerated, with mean score of <1 out of 10 for all forms of discomfort. There was a complication rate of 2 per cent (one patient with epistaxis); no other complications occurred. Transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy is a new diagnostic and therapeutic technique which is well tolerated by patients. It compares favourably with other flexible endoscopic techniques. This report documents for the first time a detailed description of patients' experience of this technique.