Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study comparing the use of a flexible nasendoscope and a rigid laryngoscope in outpatient laryngeal and pharyngeal examinations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of the image obtained using a flexible nasendoscope and a rigid laryngoscope when visualizing laryngeal and pharyngeal structures in an outpatient setting. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. SETTING: Otolaryngology outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Patients referred to the otolaryngology clinic with laryngeal symptoms were prospectively recruited and subjected to laryngeal investigation using both the flexible nasendoscope and the rigid laryngoscope. The order of both instruments was randomized, and the investigations were recorded and scored according to a set protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: score of each instrument at visualizing laryngeal structures. Secondary: tolerability of each instrument. RESULTS: Thirty patients (12 males vs 18 females) were recruited, with a median age of 43.5 years. No statistical difference was noted in terms of the tolerability of each instrument (p = .885). Both instruments were similar in terms of the structures identified. The quality of the image was better when using the rigid laryngoscope (p = .009). CONCLUSION: The flexible nasendoscope and the rigid laryngoscope were equally tolerated. The flexible nasendoscope was slightly better at visualizing the laryngeal structures, whereas the rigid laryngoscope provided better image quality.