Steps of ENT endoscopy

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor of Otolaryngology - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Otolaryngoscopy is the optimal technique to assist doctors in early detection and accurate diagnosis of signs related to Ear - Nose - Throat disease. From there, provide timely treatment, avoid the disease from getting worse.

Otolaryngoscopy is a technique to examine patients by using a specialized endoscope to bring light into the deep nooks and crannies of the ENT region. Thereby, specialists can easily observe directly inside the organs.
In addition, with the supervision of the otolaryngoscope, the nasal irrigation process is more accurate, the deep and small nasal passages are cleaned.

Otolaryngoscopy is a superior technique to assist in the diagnosis and detection of abnormal symptoms at the locations of the ear, nose and throat such as sinusitis, nasal septum, crooked septum, cavity structure. problems with the nose, tumors in the larynx or otitis media, cases of tubal movement disorders causing tinnitus,...
Especially this is a method to help doctors detect oropharyngeal cancer early and diseases of the larynx. Examples: laryngitis, laryngeal polyps, vocal cord nodules, vocal cord paralysis.

The specific steps of otolaryngoscopy are as follows:

Wear gloves and medical masks. Gently remove the endoscope after it has been properly disinfected according to strict handling procedures. Show the endoscope to the doctor. Together with the doctor, carefully monitor the patient's condition during the endoscopy. The last step of the endoscopy is to take pictures and save the images, type the results into the computer for easy monitoring of the patient's condition.

Explain and advise the patient. Doctor wearing medical gloves and mask Case of otoscope patient:
Ear endoscopy patient needs to sit upright. The doctor uses the endoscope to bring down the axis of the outer ear canal to observe the outer ear canal, eardrum, hammer handle.
In the case of patients with nasal endoscopy:
Unlike otoscopy, in this procedure, the patient will be sitting with his head slightly tilted back at an angle of 15 degrees.
Step 1: The doctor will place a cotton ball soaked in vasoconstrictor and anesthetic into the patient's nose. After 5 minutes, the doctor will remove the cotton swab and perform the nasal endoscopy procedure. Step 2: Insert a specialized endoscope into the nose close to the floor of the nose in the direction from front to back and begin to observe the nasopharynx, eustachian tube, and Rosenmuller fossa on both sides. Step 3: Next, the doctor brings the endoscope up to the sphenoid ethmoid recess to observe locations such as the lateral slit and foramen of the sphenoid sinus. Step 4: The doctor inserts the bronchoscope into the position behind the middle nasal slit and conducts examination of the middle nasolabial space from back to front, the structures of the ethmoid, semicircular fissure, hook process or accessory hole of the maxillary sinus (if any). ). Where indicated, the doctor will clean the wound, remove mucus, blood and take a biopsy. During the nasal endoscopy procedure, the patient will not feel any pain or discomfort because the nasal cavity has been enlarged by the vasoconstrictor to make the endoscopy easier. In addition, the anesthetic will lose the sensation of the nasal mucosa, so the patient does not need to be too worried.
In case of pharyngoscopy - laryngoscopy:
When performing, the patient should sit up straight, legs straight. The doctor will gently insert the endoscope into the throat on the surface of the tongue from the outside to the inside. The locations that the doctor observes in turn include: surface of the tongue, uvula, isthmus, two tonsils, the bottom of the tongue is hypothermic, bilateral bayous sinuses, glottis, cartilage of the funnel and vocal cords.
Any questions as well as customers wishing to perform ENT endoscopy at Vinmec International General Hospital. Customers can call hotlines of hospitals to receive expert advice and direct examination. For more information or to register directly.