Abstract

In 1981 further modification of a Weerda distending type of a direct laryngoscope was initiated and now completed 10 years later. The greatest length of the upper spatula of the new opening and closing type of a direct laryngoscope is 155mm while the lower spatula is 113mm long. The proximal orifice of the laryngoscope is 31mm wide horizontally and 16mm long vertically on closure of both spatulas. The vertical dimension created by the upper and the lower sputulas when being opened up to the maximum point is 36mm long so as to permit a phonosurgeon or an endoscopist to appreciate direct access to greatly wider surgical fields of the larynx, including the subglottis, the true vocal folds, the ventricles, the false vocal folds, the arytenoid bodies, the aryepiglottic folds and the interarytenoid space. A laser beam, when indicated, is utilized through this widely opened laryngoscope with safety. Every smoke is automatically suctioned away through a piece of metal canal which is attached inside the laryngoscope. A new supporting system of the opening and closing type of a direct laryngoscope is also developed.