Mirror laryngoscopy

Overview

• Helpful if fiberoptic laryngoscopy is not available

Equipment Needed

• Head lamp or assistant with mobile light source
• Mirror

Procedure

• Patient should sit with head in sniffing position
• Warm mirror with water to prevent fogging
• Grasp tongue with non-dominant hand, use middle finger to lift upper lip
• Insert mirror parallel to tongue and lift cephalad against uvula/soft palate until larynx is seen
• Topical anesthetic such as benzocaine or lidocaine 4% may help
• Have patient phonate with a high pitched voice ("eeee") to move epiglottis and to visualize cord function

Complications

• Inability to complete due to gag reflex
• Traumatic abrasions or bleeding
• Laryngospasm if paraglottic infection

See Also

• Laryngoscopy