Maneuver to assist examination of the hypopharynx

Abstract

Background. The lower hypopharynx, lying posterior to the larynx, is not usually assessable during outpatient examination. A maneuver was developed to assist flexible endoscopic examination of this region. The discomfort experienced by fifty consecutive patients undergoing the maneuver was assessed together with the view obtained. Method. Fifty patients assigned scores from 0 to 10 to the discomfort experienced during manual anterosuperior traction applied to the prelaryngeal skin, together with two other commonly performed procedures. The view obtained in the last 30 patients was assessed. Results. The mean discomfort score for the maneuver was 3.77, compared with 3.84 and 5.94 for the other two procedures. A view to the cricoarytenoid joint or below was obtained in 60% of the patients assessed. Conclusions. We conclude that the maneuver is well tolerated and results in a useful view of the hypopharynx in the majority of patients. No prior report of this maneuver has been found in the literature.