The endo-extralaryngeal needle carrier.

A laryngeal needle holder has been devised. This instrument will allow endoscopic insertion of sutures for lateralization of a paralyzed vocal cord or for fixation of endoscopically inserted stents or keels in laryngotracheal stenosis. The suture material is delivered by a curved nontraumatic cutting needle. After the needle is inserted in the desired endoscopic area, the tip protrudes through the anterior neck skin. The needle and distal suture are then pulled through the skin and the needle holder is withdrawn. The proximal portion of the suture is then inserted in the same fashion. Both ends of the suture are then fixed over buttons on the neck. The technique avoids the blind and cumbersome method of placing suture material from the skin to airway and back out to skin again.