Novel Method Overcomes Nasal Discomfort in Office-Based Laser Surgery

What can be done to help patients with narrow nasal passages and/or nasal discomfort during office-based laser laryngeal surgery?

Background: Although channeled flexible laryngoscopes have permitted a transnasal approach for biopsies, vocal fold augmentation and unsedated laser laryngeal surgery, some patients with nasal anatomic restrictions experience significant nasal discomfort and cannot tolerate these procedures.

Study design: Description of technique used.

Setting: University Voice and Swallowing Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Orange.