Laryngoscopy

How It Feels

Indirect and direct flexible laryngoscopy

You may feel like gagging when the mirror is placed in your throat. It may be uncomfortable when the doctor pulls on your tongue. If this becomes painful, signal your doctor by pointing to your tongue, since you will not be able to speak. If a local anesthetic is used, it tastes bitter, it can make you feel like your throat is swollen, and it may make you feel that it is hard to swallow.

Direct rigid laryngoscopy

You will be asleep and feel nothing during the laryngoscopy. After the procedure, you may have some nausea, general muscle aches, and may feel tired for 1 to 2 days. You also may have a sore throat and sound hoarse. Suck on throat lozenges or gargle with warm salt water to help your sore throat.

If a biopsy was taken, it is normal to spit up a small amount of blood after the laryngoscopy. Talk to your doctor about how much bleeding to expect and how long the bleeding may last. Call your doctor immediately if you:

• Have a lot of bleeding or if the bleeding lasts for 24 hours.
• Have any difficulty breathing.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
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