title: Complications of suspension laryngoscopy.
abstract: Although suspension laryngoscopy (SL) is routinely used in operative laryngology, no prospectively gathered data on the complications of this procedure have so far been available. We prospectively analyzed 339 consecutive procedures for intervention-related complications. The survey included preoperative dental status and assessment of postoperative dental, mucosal, and nerve injuries. Minor mucosal lesions were found in 75% of all patients. All healed spontaneously within a few days. Dental injuries occurred in 6.5% of all patients. These were more frequent in therapeutic laryngoscopy than in diagnostic procedures (6.8% versus 6.0%). Highly significant correlations were found between dental injury rate and preoperative dental disease (p < .04) and grade of periodontitis (p <.001). Temporary nerve lesions were observed in 13 patients (9 of the lingual nerve and 4 of the hypoglossal nerve). Although minor complications frequently occur during SL, it is a relatively safe procedure with a low risk of significant morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Klussmann
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knoedgen
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittekindt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damm
authors.forename: Hans Edmund
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Eckel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D061228:Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000150:complications; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D014945:Wound Healing