The laryngeal mirror, or laryngeal, is a medical diagnostic tool equipped with a handle and a small mirror allowing to perform an examination of the throat, the oral sphere or the larynx. Similar to that used by dentists, the laryngeal mirror is used in otolaryngology (ENT).

The laryngeal mirror is a medical device dedicated to examinations of the throat and larynx, used in general medicine and in dentistry for minor care.

It consists of a very thin handle and a mirror tilted at about 45 °.

It is a very easy to use tool.

Laryngeal mirrors are available in several sizes of diameters, to be chosen according to the size of the patient’s throat or mouth, or the element sought:

• Mirror n ° 00, diameter 8 mm;
• Mirror n ° 0, diameter 10 mm;
• Mirror n ° 1, diameter 12 mm;
• Mirror n ° 2, diameter 14 mm;
• Mirror n ° 3, diameter 16 mm;
• Mirror n ° 4, diameter 18 mm;
• Mirror n ° 5, diameter 20 mm;
• Mirror n ° 6, diameter 22 mm;
• Mirror n ° 7, diameter 24 mm;
• Mirror n ° 8, diameter 26mm;
• Mirror n ° 9, diameter 28 mm;
• Mirror n ° 10, diameter 30 mm.

For ease of use, the practitioner can add a handle to their laryngeal mirror.

The laryngeal mirror is a non-sterile device, sold in individual packaging.

For reasons of hygiene and in order to fight against cross-contamination, it must be sterilized before each use:

• either manually;
• or in an autoclave at 134 ° C for 18 minutes.

Composition

Laryngeal mirrors are made of corrosion resistant stainless steel.

The laryngeal mirror is a medical diagnostic tool used in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), by hospitals, dentists or general practitioners to examine the oral cavity, throat and larynx.

It makes it possible to detect the presence of lesions, to assess tissue mobility. It is used to observe the anatomy and laryngeal dynamics, to apply anesthesia, to remove tissue, to detect the presence of organic lesion, in cases of dragging dysphonia.

The laryngeal mirror is used in particular in the examination called ENT pharyngoscopy which can detect diseases of the pharynx such as palatal tonsils (tonsils), the soft palate and uvula, polyps.

The stages of operation

To perform the examination using a laryngeal mirror, the patient must stick the tongue down and breathe slowly through the mouth. To avoid the vomiting reflex, the practitioner should not touch the rear pharyngeal wall or the base of the tongue.

Clean the laryngeal mirror

The laryngeal mirror must always be cleaned before its first use and before each treatment with a product that does not attack stainless steel. It can be sterilized by hand using isopropyl or ethyl alcohol or placed in an autoclave (sterilization machine).

In the case of manual cleaning, the used disinfectant must be removed. The cleaning must then be completed with boiling distilled water to remove all traces of disinfectant.

Laryngeal mirrors should be replaced as soon as they are damaged because sterilization will no longer be effective or if they are rusted.

Precautions to take

• Clean the mirrors thoroughly before the first sterilization;
• Laryngeal mirrors should only be used in the event of damage;
• The temperature of 134 ° C and the pressure of 28 psi during autoclave sterilization should not be exceeded;
• The mirrors should be stored in a clean place, at normal temperature (5 ° C – 40 ° C), at constant humidity;
• Mirrors soiled with organic matter should be soaked immediately after use in a decontamination solution.