Transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy: an evaluation of the patient's experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient's experience of transnasal flexible laryngooesophagoscopy under local anaesthetic in an out-patient setting. This was a clinical observational study using a patient questionnaire and visual analogue score. Subjects were 50 patients seen in the hospital's ENT outpatient clinic between March and August 2004 in whom transnasal flexible laryngooesophagoscopy was performed and who completed pain discomfort questionnaires. Any patient undergoing transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy, for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, was included in the study. Patients in whom transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy was not necessary as part of their investigation or treatment were excluded. Patients completed a questionnaire, providing a simple visual analogue score for discomfort during the procedure. Any operative complications were noted by the surgeon. All patients completed transnasal flexible laryngooesophagoscopy, and the upper aerodigestive tract was clearly visualized. The procedure is well tolerated, with mean score of < 1 out of 10 for all forms of discomfort. There was a complication rate of 2 per cent (one patient with epistaxis); no other complications occurred. Transnasal flexible laryngooesophagoscopy is a new diagnostic and therapeutic technique which is well tolerated by patients. It compares favourably with other flexible endoscopic techniques. This report documents for the first time a detailed description of patients' experience of this technique.