Practical Laryngology PDF

Preface

The human larynx is unique in that it plays a part not only in respiration and airway protection (in common with other mammals) but has also evolved to allow phonation and advanced communication. It is over one hundred and fifty years since laryngoscopy was introduced to clinical practice and the field of laryngology has evolved ever since. Advances in medical science and our increasing knowledge of human physiology have influenced the patterns of laryngeal diagnoses and their management. Following a period of parallel medical evolution, ‘shared-airway’ techniques have brought closer team working between the anaesthetist and the laryngologist. The introduction of the microscope, endoscopes and lasers into surgery have allowed for function-preserving laryngeal procedures. Within the specialty of otolaryngology, laryngology is a rapidly expanding field encompassing voice, swallowing and airway, both in adults and children.

This book is multi-authored by colleagues within the varied specialities of laryngology, speech pathology and anaesthesia, all of them leaders in their respective fields.

We hope that this compendium will provide the reader with an up-to-date reference book and a practical framework to approaching the problems encountered daily in the clinic. Although it is impossible to cover all areas of laryngology in exhaustive detail, every effort has been made to discuss the most common and important topics. Given the volume of literature on head and neck cancer, laryngeal malignancies are not covered; however, we have devoted a chapter to laryngeal dysplasia, as this sits at a crossroads between benign and malignant disease.

We are enormously grateful to our colleagues and friends who have given so generously of their time and expertise, and also to our respective families for their patience and understanding during the preparation of this book.

We would like to dedicate this book to the next generation of laryngologists. It is our privilege to teach them and we hope to inspire others to enter this exciting field within otolaryngology.

Declan Costello and Guri Sandhu