How we do it: transnasal fibreoptic oesophagoscopy

Abstract

KEYPOINTS: Transnasal fibreoptic oesophagoscopy (TFO) allows the upper aerodigestive tract, from the nasal vestibule to the gastric cardia to be examined in the outpatients department without sedation. This permits patients with symptoms of upper aerodigestive pathology to be investigated at the initial consultation without the need for inpatient endoscopy or swallow studies. The technique is easily learned, and is statistically comparable with standard flexible nasoendoscopy in respect of procedural pain and discomfort. It is highly cost-efficient, paying for itself within 1 year, and thereafter leading to cost savings of over 80%. Its role can be expanded to encompass investigating patients with potentially malignant disease processes, as well as outpatients "panendoscopy" and biopsy, and a number of therapeutic interventions.