Laryngoscopy
A laryngoscopy is a test to look at the back of your throat (pharynx) and the voice box (larynx). Your doctor looks for changes or any abnormal areas.
An indirect laryngoscopy
You usually have an indirect laryngoscopy in the outpatient clinic. The doctor uses a special type of mirror to look at the voice box and see the back of your throat. You might have a 
spray a few minutes beforehand to numb the area.
A direct laryngoscopy
Your surgeon uses a thin tube called a laryngoscope to do this test. The laryngoscope has a light and a camera at the end. The surgeon can see the inside of your throat and voice box clearly.
You have a direct laryngoscopy under an anaesthetic. This means you are asleep and won't feel anything. You usually have this in the hospital as a day case or you might stay overnight.
Your surgeon might also call this test an examination under anaesthesia (EUA). They may take samples of tissue (biopsy) of any abnormal areas.
Before your laryngoscopy under an anaesthetic
About a week or so before your laryngoscopy you usually have a pre assessment appointment. This prepares you for your test. You meet members of your treatment team at this appointment.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you what you need to do on the day. This includes instructions about when to stop eating and drinking, and whether to stop taking any of your medicines. And what time to arrive. You might also sign your consent form at this appointment. Or you might do this on the day of your test.
It helps to write down any questions you have and take them with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less worrying it will seem. You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.
Having a laryngoscopy under anaesthetic
You usually go to the hospital on the morning of the test. Before your test your nurse will give you a hospital gown to wear and may also give you anti embolism stockings. These are stockings that gently squeeze your feet and legs, helping the blood circulate better. Your nurse can help you put them on if you can’t manage it.
Your nurse may give you a tablet to help you relax before you go to the operating theatre.
Having a general anaesthetic
Your nurse takes you to the operating theatre. Your puts a small tube into a vein in the back of your hand. They then give you the anaesthetic medicine through the tube.
During the laryngoscopy
The test usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but you are in the theatre department longer than this. This includes the time in the recovery room.
Your specialist puts the laryngoscope through the mouth and into the lower part of your throat. They can take samples of tissue (a biopsy) of any abnormal areas.
Your doctor sends these samples to the laboratory where a specialist doctor called a looks at them under a microscope.
After a laryngoscopy
You usually wake up in the recovery room. You can't eat or drink until the anaesthetic wears off. You should be able to go home the same day.
You should rest your voice for at least 2 days if you had biopsies taken.
Your nurse will explain more about when you can eat and drink and resting your voice.
Possible risks
A laryngoscopy is a safe procedure. Your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems afterwards. Your doctors make sure the benefits of having a laryngoscopy outweigh the possible risks.
The possible risks include:
A sore throat
You might have a sore throat for up to 24 hours. Contact the hospital if you have severe pain in your throat, chest or tummy (abdomen).
Damage to your teeth
This can happen if you have loose teeth or dental crowns.
Bleeding
You might have some bleeding afterwards if you have a biopsy.
Call your advice line if your bleeding continues, becomes heavy or you are worried.
Getting your results
You should get your biopsy results within 1 to 2 weeks.
Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.
You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can contact for information if you need to. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel. You may want them to go with you to get the results for support.
For information and support, you can call the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday.
