Office-Based Procedures for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Laryngeal Pathology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Since the development of distal chip endoscopes with a working channel, diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in the outpatient clinic in the management of laryngeal pathology have increased. Which of these office-based procedures are currently available, and their clinical indications and possible advantages, remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of literature on office-based procedures in laryngology and head and neck oncology. RESULTS: Flexible endoscopic biopsy (FEB), vocal cord injection, and laser surgery are well-established office-based procedures that can be performed under topical anesthesia. These procedures demonstrate good patient tolerability and multiple advantages. CONCLUSION: Office-based procedures under topical anesthesia are currently an established method in the management of laryngeal pathology. These procedures offer medical and economic advantages compared with operating room-performed procedures. Furthermore, office-based procedures enhance the speed and timing of the diagnostic and therapeutic process.