Do you need to fast before undergoing a laryngoscopy?

Generally, whether fasting is required for a laryngoscopy depends on the type of examination. For routine laryngoscopy, fasting is usually not necessary; however, for painless laryngoscopy, fasting is required to avoid potential risks. The details are as follows:

A conventional laryngoscopy involves inserting an endoscope through the nose or mouth. The procedure is simple, causes minimal irritation, and lasts only a few minutes. It rarely triggers significant gagging. Patients should avoid eating too much or consuming spicy, greasy foods 1–2 hours before the exam. Light meals with bland food may even help reduce throat discomfort, so deliberate fasting is not required.

Painless laryngoscopy requires local or general anesthesia, under which the swallowing reflex is suppressed. If there is food in the stomach, vomiting and aspiration may occur, increasing the risk of complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, patients must fast strictly for 6–8 hours before the procedure and avoid drinking fluids for 4 hours prior to ensure the stomach is empty and the examination can be performed safely.

Before the examination, patients should clearly understand the type of laryngoscopy they will undergo and follow medical instructions accordingly. Prior to a standard laryngoscopy, keep the throat moist and avoid excessive voice use. After a painless procedure, wait until the anesthesia wears off before eating, starting with cool or lukewarm liquid foods.