Direct laryngoscopy using a videogastroscope: outcome of 119 cases

Direct laryngoscopy is an essential examination for supraglottic and laryngeal pathology. Fibreoptic or videolaryngoscope are not readily available. This study was designed to see the usefulness of Videogastroscope to evaluate laryngeal lesion instead of fibreoptic or videolaryngoscope. Patients with unsuccessful or unsatisfactory indirect laryngoscopic examination referred by ENT surgeons were examined using videogastroscope and anaesthetizing oropharynx and hypopharynx with lidocaine pharyngeal spray. Under direct supervision impressions including still and dynamic images were recorded. Study group comprised of 76 males and 43 females with age varying from 09 to 87 with mean age 44 years. Various abnormalities were detected among 74 (62.2 %) patients. Common pathologies were vocal cord polyps and nodules in 28, laryngitis and laryngeal ulcer in 16, supraglottic growth in 13 and pyriform fossa growth in 10. Direct laryngoscopy using videogastroscope is safe, effective and easily performed newer technique which might be very useful where indirect laryngoscopy is difficult and fibreoptic or videolaryngoscope is not available.