Laryngeal  Surgery  Using  a  Rigid  Curved  Laryngo-pharyngoscope  for  Patients  with  Cervical  Spondylosis:  A  Report  of  Two  Cases

Abstract

Laryngomicrosurgery with a suspension laryngoscope under general anesthesia requires cervical extension. Patients with cervical spondylosis cannot undergo cervical extension because of the risk of exacerbating their cervical issues. Videoendoscope-assisted laryngeal surgery with office-based equipment is often performed in such patients; however, there are some cases in which laryngeal surgery under general anesthesia is necessary. We herein report two patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent laryngeal surgery under general anesthesia with the aid of a rigid curved laryngo-pharyngoscope, which was accomplished with minimal cervical extension.

A 50-year-old woman with a laryngeal cyst and a history of cervical spondylosis and panic disorder presented to our hospital. A physical examination revealed a strong gag reflex. Laryngeal surgery under general anesthesia was undertaken with minimal cervical extension by means of a rigid curved laryngo-pharyngoscope. Her cyst was removed without aggravating her cervical spondylosis. The second patient was a 71-year-old man with vocal cord leukoplakia. He also had a history of cervical spondylosis. A physical examination revealed wide-spread leukoplakia. Laryngeal surgery under general anesthesia was also performed without aggravating his cervical spondylosis. Laryngeal surgery using a rigid curved laryngo-pharyngoscope is a new strategy for treating laryngeal disorders in patients with cervical issues.