What is a Laryngoscopy?
A laryngoscopy is a procedure using a soft or rigid telescope to visualize the structures of the voice box area as well as the structures above and below the voice box area.
What is a Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is an endoscopic procedure utilizing a soft or rigid scope to visualize the structures in the windpipe/trachea as well as the bronchial passages leading toward the lungs on the left and right side.
How Are These Procedures Performed?
These procedures are usually performed in the operating room under a general anesthetic. An anesthesiologist cares for the patient throughout the entire procedure. The procedure generally takes about one hour or less depending on the specific medical condition that is being dealt with.
Because we are manipulating the airway, there can be some swelling for the first one or two days after the procedure. If the patient is ever having significant breathing difficulties, the physician’s office should be notified immediately and the patient should be taken to the emergency room. Other complications of this procedure could include some bleeding, some exacerbation of underlying asthma if it is present or a loose or dislodged tooth.
What is the Purpose of this Procedure?
These procedures are utilized to closely investigate the areas of the voice box, windpipe and passages toward the lungs to determine any problems or disease processes that are present in these areas.
Depending on the condition, sometimes these pr oblems can be treated at the same time as the surgery and others need to be scheduled for a later date. Fasting of food and liquid is necessary prior to any general anesthetic and you will be notified either a day or within a week of your procedure as to the instructions for fasting.
If there are any further questions with regard to these procedures, please call our office at (847) 674-5585 to speak to the physician directly.