We
are now able to take a biopsy
of the vocal fold without needing
to bring the patient to the operating
room and without using general
anesthesia.
This is how the procedure is
performed:
A special sheath with a channel
is placed over a flexible endoscope.
Next, a drop of liquid anesthetic
is applied to the area we want
to biopsy while the patient is
WIDE awake sitting up in the examination
chair without any general anesthesia.
The
advantages for the Patient are:
1. The patient doesn't need
to go to the operating room
2. The patient doesn't need
to have general anesthesia
3. The patient avoids the risks
inherent with general anesthesia
4. The patient can go back to
work the same day
The
advantages to the Physician
are increased efficiency:
1. The physician stays in the
office (no need to travel to
a hospital)
2. There is no operating room
turn around time
In
certain cases, a patient with
a large tumor in the throat
might need a tracheotomy if
taken to the operating room.
However, in this office setting
as described above, the patient
is spared a tracheotomy minimizing
all discomfort and danger associated
with the procedure.
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