Laryngoscopy is a procedure involving examination of the structures from the tongue base to the voice box and vocal cords. It is also used for surgery on the vocal cords or removal of a foreign body of tumor.

It is frequently performed and considered to be one of the safest. We may or not use the microscope during surgery to magnify structures when necessary.

Among the few complications that may occur are injury to the teeth, risks of general anesthesia, bleeding after biopsy and failure of the vocal cords to heal after biopsy. If polyps nodules or small well-circumscribed cancers are present the laser or standard surgical techniques may be used to remove these lesions. Voice changes and/or hoarseness are possible after such vocal cord surgery. If surgery is done for nodules or papilloma you will likely need multiple surgeries like this over time.

Post Operative Instruction:

1 Throat discomfort may persist for several days. Tylenol or prescribed pain medication should relieve the pain; if it becomes worse please notify Dr. Maccabee.

2 Do not take aspirin Motrin, Advil, Aleve or any Ibuprofen containing products for 2 weeks after surgery.

3 In any of the following occur you may contact Dr. Maccabee through the office at: (541) 436-3888.

• Spitting up bright red blood
• Fever higher than 101.5F°
• Inability to eat or drink
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, abnormal wheezing, high-pitched crowing-like sound when breathing or bluish discoloration of the lips.

4 Absolute VOICE REST for 2 days after surgery and no excessive voice use (shouting or whispering) for 2 weeks after surgery when vocal cord polyps or lesions are removed.

5 No smoking or alcohol.

6 Maintain high humidity at home with a vaporizer or sauna.

7 Follow-up appointment should be about 2 weeks after surgery. You should have one scheduled before surgery but if no please call office for an appointment after surgery.