title: Extra-laryngeal complications of suspension laryngoscopy.
abstract: Although suspension laryngoscopy is routinely used in laryngeal surgery, there are only few studies on the complications of this procedure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the complications outside the larynx following suspension laryngoscopy and analyze their relation with surgery duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven procedures were prospectively analyzed for intervention-related complications. The study included patient preoperative and postoperative assessment, focusing on dental, mucosal and nerve status (hypoglossal and lingual nerves).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most procedures (27/37) were associated to some kind of complication, and mucosal injuries were the most common; temporary nerve lesions were observed in five cases and dental injuries in one case. Statistic significance was found between surgery duration and mucosal injury (lesions smaller than 1 centimeter), showing that longer procedure pose higher risks for these complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that suspension laryngoscopy is frequently associated with complications outside the larynx. Although these injuries represent a low risk of significant morbidity, they can be avoided if more accurate techniques are used.
authors.affiliation: MD. Otorhinolaryngologist and graduate student in Laryngology - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, Attending Otorhinolaryngologist - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Marco Antonio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dos Anjos Corvo
authors.affiliation: MD. Otorhinolaryngologist - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inacio
authors.affiliation: 6th year Medical Student - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Marina Bacal
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: de Campos Mello
authors.affiliation: PhD. Assistant Professor - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alessandra Eckley
authors.affiliation: PhD. Assistant Professor - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo; Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
authors.forename: André de
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campos Duprat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology