Key Points
- With a careful and standardized multidisciplinary approach, suspension
laryngoscopy for benign pathology is usually efficient and bloodless
with minimal post-procedure discomfort.
- 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.
- The most common complication was temporary sore throat (66%), which
significantly negatively correlated with interincisor gap.
- 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.
- 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.