Key Points
  1. With a careful and standardized multidisciplinary approach, suspension laryngoscopy for benign pathology is usually efficient and bloodless with minimal post-procedure discomfort.
  2. In 150 consecutive suspension laryngoscopy procedures undertaken by our specialist airway service, we were able to obtain a view adequate for successful surgery in all but one case, and saw no major or permanent complications.
  3. The most common complication was temporary sore throat (66%), which significantly negatively correlated with interincisor gap.
  4. Temporary alteration of tongue sensation (6.7%), mucosal abrasions (2.7%), and exacerbation of preexisting dental/temporomandibular joint pain (1.3%) were also seen at rates favourable in comparison to the global literature.
  5. Our centre advocates the exclusive use of the Dedo-PillingĀ® laryngoscope in most cases, apart from in isolated supraglottic pathology where the Lindholm laryngoscope may be of additional value.