Microlaryngoscopy

Remember it is very important not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. This includes coffee, juice and water.

On the morning of surgery, please report to hospital/surgery center as scheduled.

• • Elevated temperature is not unusual after laryngeal surgery. If the temperature is measured to be higher than 101.5 F, then please call us. To help keep the temperature down, try to drink as much as possible.
  • Hoarseness and weak voice are usual after laryngeal surgery. It is O.K. to talk quietly, unless the surgeon advises voice rest.
  • No whispering, coughing, or throat clearing. Use a hard swallow or drink some water.
  • You must start using your voice slowly and delicately following surgery. Adhere to the following schedule:
    • Use your voice for short periods of time followed by 15 minutes of voice rest.
    • Gradually increase the time you use your voice. Rest your voice often.
    • Ask your doctor if you should follow the following voice rest instructions. (some procedures do not require it.)

VOICE REST GUIDELINES

These guidelines are for voice use per hour, per day.

WEEK 1: 15-20 minutes of voice use per hour. 45-50 minutes of voice rest. Do not talk for more than 1-2 minutes at a time.

WEEK 2: 25-35 minutes of voice usage. 30-35 minutes of voice rest. Do not talk more than 5-6 minutes at a time.

WEEK 3: 40-50 minutes of voice usage. 15 minutes of voice rest. Do not talk more than 10 minutes at a time.

The voice you should use MUST be delicate, light, and very breathy. Use an easy vocal effort especially during weeks 1 & 2. Use a soft to moderate loudness, but DO NOT WHISPER. Use this easy voice primarily during week 1, gradually decrease its use during week 2 and use your normal voice, delicately, during week 3.

• • Monitor your vocal abuses during these weeks; reduce your vocal abuses. Avoid loud talking, excessive talking, yelling, screaming, and throat clearing.
  • Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Eliminate alcohol. Avoid caffeine. Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Use this time to quit smoking permanently.
  • After a laryngoscopy, it is not unusual to experience altered taste, numbness of the tongue, sore throat, jaw pain, or mild difficulty with swallowing. These symptoms usually go away in a couple of days. If they persist for more than 5 days, call your physician.
  • Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or if you are unable to swallow