How we do it: The role of trans-nasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy (TNFLO) in ENT: one year's experience in a head and neck orientated practice in the UK

Clin Otolaryngol. 2005 Dec;30(6):551-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2005.01103.x.

Abstract

KEYPOINTS: Transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy (TNFLO) is a safe and well-tolerated procedure that may be performed in a procedure room in the outpatient or day-case/main theatre setting. It requires a local anaesthetic and no sedation. It may be used to histologically diagnose or exclude pathology from the nose to the gastro-oesophageal junction. It provides a "one stop" diagnosis service, reducing diagnostic delays, the need for endoscopy under general anaesthesia, barium swallows and follow-up outpatient appointments. Therapeutic procedures such as vocal cord medialization, endolaryngeal laser surgery, insertion of speech prostheses and foreign body removal may be performed without general anaesthesia.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Esophagoscopes
  • Esophagoscopy / methods*
  • Esophagus
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Laryngoscopes
  • Laryngoscopy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Nose
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Pliability
  • Posture
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recovery of Function
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / diagnosis

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local