Background: Laryngoscopic procedures can be performed either with rigid or with flexible endoscopes (FE). While the benefit of FEs is a better reflection of the physiological situation, rigid endoscopes (RE) usually offer better image quality. Modern flexible 'chip-on-the-tip' endoscopes promise to combine the advantages of both procedures.
Material and methods: A total of 38 patients with dysphonia were examined with RE, conventional FE, and"chip-on-the-tip" endoscopes (TCE). Image quality was assessed and compared and procedures were evaluated with regard to patient contentment.
Results: In all cases image quality of TCE and RE was better than conventional FE. In 55% of cases image quality of TCE and RE was comparable, in 24% RE was judged to be better and in 21% TCE was better. Patient contentment was higher for FE in comparison with RE.
Conclusion: 'Chip-on-the-tip' endoscopes combine the advantages of both RE and FE with respect to a physiological examination and high image quality.