About this topic
The larynx is also called the voice box. It is a hollow tube that makes sounds when we speak. It houses the vocal cords that help us talk with each other. It also acts like a door that lets air in and keeps food out of the lungs. Doctors do a laryngoscopy to look at your larynx. They may also remove objects that are blocking the back of the throat and larynx. Sometimes, the doctor may take a small sample of tissue to send to the lab for testing. Your doctor may order the procedure to: ‚
- See the cause of coughing, throat pain, bleeding, hoarseness, or bad breath
- Diagnose voice problems
- Check if your throat and larynx is inflamed, narrowed, or blocked
- Check tumors in the throat and vocal cords and see if they are cancer
- Know if a problem inside the larynx is causing your ear pain
- Remove objects stuck inside the throat
- Check injury to the throat or blockages in the breathing passages
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Do not eat or drink anything until the numbness in your throat goes away and you can swallow. This will help keep the food or liquid from going into your breathing tube and causing an infection.
- You may have an upset stomach after the procedure. Eat small amounts of soft foods for the day of surgery. Avoid foods that have milk, as they cause mucus in the throat.
- Suck on ice chips or lozenges to help ease throat pain.
- Rest your voice for a day or so. Do not shout, sing or whisper.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Ask your doctor when you will have results from the procedure. Together you can make plans for more treatment, if needed.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You can go back to your normal activities once the numbness in your throat wears off. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Injury to the structures around your larynx
- Throat pain
- Tongue soreness or numbness
- Injury to teeth
- Infection after biopsy
- Hoarse voice
- Aspiration
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Numbness does not go away
- Redness and numbness on your tongue
- Loss of voice
- Trouble swallowing
- Spit or saliva with blood
- Breathing problems
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have fever, chills, trouble swallowing, or breathing problems.
Where can I learn more?
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngealandhypopharyngealcancer/detailedguide/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer-diagnosis ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emmi_kids/emmi_laryngoscopy.html ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-17 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚