Use of the fibreoptic laryngoscope in pharyngeal pouch surgery.

A further new application of the fibreoptic laryngoscope as an adjunct to the excision of pharyngeal pouches is described. Its use facilitates the procedure and thus reduces the time of surgery. This is clearly advantageous, particularly as many patients with pharyngeal pouches are elderly and may be less than fully fit especially if overspill from the pouch has caused recurrent chest infections.