Panendoscopy
Panendoscopy is mainly used to better assess a tumor, cyst or polyp when its location makes it difficult to examine in the consulting room. Panendoscopy enables a biopsy to be taken from an area that is difficult to access, so that the nature of the tumour, polyp or cyst can be determined. Cancers of the mucous membranes of the mouth, oropharynx, hypopharynx, rhinopharynx, larynx and sometimes oesophagus require a precise assessment of their extension. In addition to imaging examinations such as dental panoramas, ultrasound scans, MRIs and PET scans, it is imperative for therapeutic decisions and treatments to have a clear surface description, which panendoscopy enables. Panendoscopy is therefore mandatory at the initial stage of assessment. It is performed very rapidly to confirm the diagnosis with a biopsy, note the extent of the disease and look for any other concomitant cancer. It is usually performed under general anaesthetic on an outpatient basis.
Find out more about panendoscopy from Dr Delagranda, an ENT surgeon in La Roche-sur-Yon in the Vendée.
Pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, nasal cavity and upper esophagus
Panendoscopy uses specially dedicated endoscopes to observe and describe all the different parts of the body between the lips, nose and upper esophagus.
Who is concerned by panendoscopy?
Adults with various ENT symptoms on the advice of an ENT doctor.
Very young children, often born prematurely, with laryngeal symptoms such as stridor (abnormal high-pitched noise when breathing in due to disturbed airflow in the upper airways) accompanied by difficulty in eating or breathing.
Children with so-called embryonic cervical malformations, some of which result in fistulous orifices in the pharynx (Fistula of the IVth arch, for example).
Objectives of panendoscopy
- Determine the appearance and local extension of a tumor or fistula
- Perform a biopsy
- Determine the effectiveness of a treatment
When is a panendoscopy necessary?
A panendoscopy is indicated in cases of:
- Suspicion of cancer (persistent unexplained pain, persistent unexplained change in voice, bleeding, involuntary weight loss, anorexia, visible mass in the mouth, throat or neck, etc.).
- Suspicion of benign tumours, cysts, polyps inaccessible in consultation because they are too far from the mouth (example: vocal cord polyp with voice changes)
- Monitoring the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment: by assessing the reduction in tumour size
- Assessing malformation or immaturity of the larynx or pharynx
- Suspicion of a foreign body blocked in the upper aerodigestive tract (fish bone, chicken bone, rabbit bone, pig bone, piece of plastic, paper clip, etc.).
The different stages of the intervention
The surgery
Always performed under general anaesthesia, and usually on an outpatient basis, the procedure involves inserting metal instruments (laryngoscopes, hypopharyngoscopes, esophagoscopes) through the mouth or nose to loosen the mucous membrane of the pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, nasal cavity and upper esophagus, and inserting rigid optics and biopsy forceps to visualize the tumour precisely.
Post-surgery recovery period
In the case of outpatient hospitalization, the patient is discharged home on the same day as the operation.
The patient is back to normal within 24-48 hours, once the anesthetic products have been eliminated.
Time off work depends on the pathology concerned, and may only cover the day of the operation.
Post-operative care at home: mouthwash, analgesics
Scarring: no visible scarring
Complications associated with panendoscopy
In addition to the risks inherent in any surgery involving general anesthesia, panendoscopy presents a number of minor risks:
- Mouth sores, lip pinching
- Abnormal mobility of teeth (the presence of fragile teeth (bridges, implants) should be noted)
- Tooth dislocation
More serious but exceptional risks:
- Severe bleeding
- Respiratory difficulties
- Digestive tract perforation
For further information, please consult the ENT College’s explanatory sheet on panendoscopy:
➔ Endoscopie des voies aéro-digestives superieures
➔ Extraction corps etranger laryngo tracheo bronchique
➔ Médialisation de la corde vocale par injection, pour paralysie laryngée unilatérale
Frequently asked questions about panendoscopy
Here is a selection of questions frequently asked by Dr Delagranda’s patients during a consultation for panendoscopy in La Roche-sur-Yon.
Is panendocopy mandatory?
Yes, in the case of cancer, and recommended if your surgeon suggests it.
Is it very painful?
No, in general it’s practically painless.
Fees and payment for the procedure
Panendoscopy is covered by health insurance. Contact your mutual insurance company to find out whether any extra fees will be covered.
Do you have a question? Need more information?
Dr Antoine Delagranda will be happy to answer any questions you may have about panendoscopy. Dr Delagranda is a specialist in ENT surgery at the Clinique Saint Charles in La Roche-sur-Yon in the Vendée.
ENT consultation for panendoscopy in Vendée
Dr Antoine Delagranda will be happy to answer any questions you may have about panendoscopy. Dr Delagranda is a specialist in ENT surgery at the Clinique Saint Charles in La Roche-sur-Yon in Vendée.