Development of oropharyngeal scope type II with integrated tongue depressor for examination of the oropharynx: NTOP2016 study

Abstract

The oropharynx is examined by focusing an electric light, penlight, or forehead mirror on a desired visual field using a tongue depressor. However, it is extremely difficult to obtain objective recorded evidence for display with these methods, and the tools for examination have remained virtually unchanged for the past century. Treatment of the pharynx/oral cavity is exceedingly difficult, particularly in elderly patients and children. Therefore, there is an increasing need to develop a method for displaying the visual field during oropharyngeal examinations which is acceptable to patients, which can easily be applied at all medical institutions, which can be displayed to third parties, and which can be used by doctors for recording data and determining treatment. We earlier developed a dedicated device for this purpose (Improved Type I) and have now made further improvements. This study aims to evaluate the utility of the improved type II oropharyngeal endoscope as a tool for objective examination.