Detachable forceps for flexible fibre-optic surgery: a new technique for phonosurgery in cases where rigid laryngoscopy is contraindicated.

In phonosurgery, in cases where it is not possible to use a rigid laryngoscope, a flexible fibrescope with laryngeal-mask ventilation may be used. In flexible fibreoptic surgery, the forceps are normally inserted through a small channel in the fibrescope. Since only a small forceps tip can pass through this channel, a limited range of forceps has been available for use in fibrescope procedures. We have developed a new type of forceps for flexible fibre-optic surgery that allows this size limitation to be overcome. The new forceps is made up of two parts: (i) the forceps tip and its control wire assembly, and (ii) a detachable handle. A wide range of forceps can be used, including those with tips larger than the biopsy channel. We report a case that was treated with this new technique.