Concierge laryngology · UK
Private microlaryngoscopy, by a consultant laryngologist.
Definitive access to the vocal cords for biopsy, benign lesion surgery, early cancer and injection - with a laryngologist who does voice work every week and an SLT in the pathway from day one.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant laryngologist, in theatre
Not a general ENT list. A named laryngologist who does vocal cord work every week, in a proper theatre with the right microscope and micro-instruments.
- 02
SLT partnership from the start
Surgery alone rarely fixes voice. We pair the operation with a speech and language therapist so the voice comes back - and stays back.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private microlaryngoscopy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Microlaryngoscopy with biopsy in our network: £3,000–£5,000, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microlaryngoscopy + biopsy | £3,000–£5,000 | 20–40 min | Same visit |
| Excision of benign vocal cord lesion | £3,500–£6,000 | 30–60 min | Same visit |
| Cordectomy (early glottic SCC, Tis–T1a) | £4,000–£8,000 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| CO2 or KTP laser microlaryngoscopy | £4,000–£7,000 | 30–60 min | Same visit |
| Vocal cord injection (fat / Radiesse / HA) | £2,500–£4,500 | 20–40 min | Same visit |
| Consultation + flexible nasoendoscopy | £250–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which laryngologist does the case, by the instrumentation chosen (cold-steel, CO2 laser, KTP, microdebrider), and by whether an injection or a cordectomy is added. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right laryngologist, the right instrument, the right voice pathway.
Vocal cord surgery is unforgiving - a couple of millimetres of over-resection can mean a permanently worse voice. The three things that matter are surgeon subspecialty, instrument choice per lesion, and SLT in the pathway. We fix all three before you commit.
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Not sure it is needed?
A course of SLT, reflux treatment or steroid inhalers may fix a benign lesion without surgery. We say so before you agree to theatre.
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Worried about the voice?
A laryngologist who does voice work every week - not a generalist - is what protects the outcome. That is who we put you with.
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Want it done properly?
A named consultant laryngologist, a proper microscope theatre, the full instrument set on hand, and an SLT already booked for after.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review - including the voice-rest window and the handover to SLT.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Voice rest and SLT
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Voice changes, how long, whether flexible nasoendoscopy has already been done, singer or professional voice user.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right laryngologist, whether cold-steel or laser is likely, whether SLT should come first, an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Any blood-thinning medication is reviewed with the team and you are told exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the laryngologist and anaesthetist. A shared-airway plan is agreed - spontaneous ventilation, jet ventilation or cross-field intubation.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
20 to 60 minutes under GA. Rigid laryngoscope suspended, operating microscope in, precise sub-epithelial dissection of the vocal cord lesion.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery in the day-case unit, written aftercare including the voice-rest window, and home the same evening. You will need someone to collect you.
- 07
After
Voice rest and SLT
Silent voice rest for 3 to 14 days depending on the lesion, then SLT rehabilitation. A review is arranged to check healing and hand over any biopsy result.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Voice rest: 3–14 days. SLT rehab: 2–8 weeks.
When it helps
When microlaryngoscopy is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Suspicious lesion on flexible scope
Leukoplakia, erythroplasia, papilloma, granuloma or a mass seen on flexible nasoendoscopy needs a proper look and a biopsy.
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Vocal cord nodules, polyps or cysts
Benign lesions from voice overuse or trauma - SLT first, surgery if voice does not settle.
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Reinke’s oedema
A boggy, low-pitched voice, usually smoking-related - microlaryngoscopy with careful sub-epithelial reduction.
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Early glottic cancer (Tis, T1a)
Very early laryngeal cancer confined to the vocal cord - cordectomy (Ossoff Type I–VI) is curative in most cases.
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Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
HPV-related warty growths on the cords needing repeated debulking - microdebrider or KTP laser, planned over years.
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Vocal cord paralysis or scar
Injection with fat, hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite bulks a paralysed or scarred cord and restores voice closure.
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Professional voice user
Singers, teachers, broadcasters, clergy - voice is the job. A laryngologist plus SLT is the standard of care, not a general ENT list.
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Red flag: stridor or airway compromise
A hoarse voice with noisy breathing, stridor, or difficulty swallowing is not a clinic booking - same-day A&E.
Procedure options
One access, several instruments.
The rigid laryngoscope and microscope are the access. What matters is which instrument the laryngologist reaches for - chosen per lesion, not per habit.
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Cold-steel micro-instruments
The workhorse - the most precise way to lift epithelium off the vocal ligament and remove a benign lesion without scarring.
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CO2 laser via micromanipulator
Microscope-mounted CO2 laser for cordectomy in early glottic cancer and for larger benign lesions where cutting and haemostasis matter.
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KTP laser (angiolytic)
Targets blood vessels - first line for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and vascular lesions. Increasingly used awake in-office, but hospital-based initially.
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Microdebrider
A powered shaver for bulky papilloma or large lesions where volume debulking matters more than sub-epithelial finesse.
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Vocal cord injection medialisation
Fat, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse Voice) or collagen - bulks a paralysed or scarred cord so it closes on the other side.
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Diagnostic biopsy
Adequate tissue for the pathologist - the whole point when a lesion is suspicious. Under-biopsy misses cancer.
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Vocal cord scar release
For scarred, tethered cords after prior surgery or intubation injury - careful release with cold-steel or laser.
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Consultation + flexible scope
An honest look with a flexible nasoendoscope before you agree to theatre - no obligation.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of laryngologists, we picked them.
Consultant laryngologists with dedicated voice practices in central London and the major UK cities. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every laryngologist in our network.
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Consultant laryngologists with a dedicated voice practice, not general ENT lists
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Operating microscope + CO2/KTP laser + full range of laryngoscopes on site
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Named consultant anaesthetist experienced in shared-airway surgery
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Speech and language therapist embedded in the pathway before and after surgery
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Microlaryngoscopy is a common, safe day-case procedure. The things worth planning are the voice-rest window, the SLT handover and knowing what is normal after.
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Sore throat and neck ache 2–5 days
The laryngoscope pushes against the tongue base and mouth-holder sits on the teeth - some ache is normal for a few days.
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Voice rest - silent, not whispering
Silent voice rest for 3 to 14 days depending on the lesion. Whispering is as much strain as speaking - it is silence or nothing.
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Temporary dysphonia is expected
Your voice will sound worse before it sounds better - usually for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. SLT is what turns that corner.
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Tooth and lip protection
A mouth guard protects the teeth from the laryngoscope. Chipped teeth or lip bruising are uncommon with modern technique but not impossible.
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Airway swelling - very rare
Steroids are given intraoperatively to reduce swelling. Very rarely a short period of intubation or, exceptionally, tracheostomy is needed.
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Glottic web and permanent dysphonia
Rare complications of surgery at the anterior commissure or over-aggressive resection - a reason to insist on a laryngologist.
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Cough may worsen 1–2 days
The cords have been handled. A tickly cough for a day or two is normal - persistent cough or blood is not.
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Back to office 1–3 days
Physically you are fit for desk work quickly - the limit is voice rest, not fatigue. Voice-heavy jobs wait until SLT clears you.
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Red flags
Stridor, shortness of breath, high fever, spreading neck swelling or coughing blood after surgery are not normal - call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever instrument was used, the note the laryngologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and lesion location
Why the procedure was done - biopsy, benign lesion, early cancer, RRP - and exactly which cord and which subsite.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic, airway and instruments
Whether spontaneous ventilation, jet or cross-field intubation was used, which laryngoscope, and whether cold-steel, CO2 laser, KTP or microdebrider was chosen.
- 03 Findings
What was seen and what was removed
Description of the lesion, whether it was excised completely, whether the epithelium was preserved, and where the biopsy specimen came from.
- 04 Impression
Voice rest, SLT and review timing
Read this first: how long silent voice rest, when SLT starts, when the biopsy result is expected, and when you are reviewed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for microlaryngoscopy varies by insurer and by indication - usually funded when medically indicated (suspicious lesion, benign lesion causing dysphonia, early cancer). We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about microlaryngoscopy.
Quick answers on voice rest, cost, laser versus cold steel, and how much time off work you actually need.
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What is microlaryngoscopy?
A short operation under general anaesthetic where a rigid laryngoscope is passed into the throat and suspended, then an operating microscope is used to see the vocal cords at high magnification. It is the standard access for biopsy of a suspicious lesion, excision of benign vocal cord lesions, treatment of early glottic cancer, and vocal cord injection.
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Does it hurt?
You feel nothing during - you are asleep. Afterwards there is a sore throat and neck ache for 2 to 5 days, and often a mild jaw ache from the mouth-holder. Simple painkillers are enough.
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How long do I need off voice?
Silent voice rest for 3 to 14 days depending on the lesion and what was done - a small biopsy is at the short end, a cordectomy or bilateral vocal cord surgery at the long end. Whispering is not rest - it strains the cords as much as speaking. Silence or nothing.
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How much does private microlaryngoscopy cost in the UK?
Roughly £3,000–£5,000 for microlaryngoscopy + biopsy, £3,500–£6,000 for excision of a benign lesion, £4,000–£8,000 for cordectomy or complex phonosurgery, and £2,500–£4,500 for a vocal cord injection. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Cold steel, CO2 laser or KTP - which is better?
They do different jobs. Cold steel is the most precise for benign vocal cord lesions and preserves the overlying epithelium best. CO2 laser suits cordectomy and larger resections. KTP laser targets blood vessels and is first line for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. A good laryngologist chooses per lesion, not per habit.
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Do I need speech and language therapy afterwards?
For voice-outcome work, yes - SLT before and after surgery is what gets 85–95% good voice outcomes for benign lesions. Surgery alone rarely fixes the behavioural voice habits that caused the lesion in the first place.
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How long is recovery? When can I go back to work?
Physically you are back to desk work in 1 to 3 days. The real limit is voice rest - office jobs are fine on silent rest with email, voice-heavy jobs (teachers, singers, call handlers) wait until the SLT clears you, usually 2 to 4 weeks.
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What are the risks?
Sore throat and neck ache are usual. Uncommon: tooth or lip damage from the laryngoscope, temporary worse voice, TMJ ache. Rare: airway swelling needing intubation, glottic web, permanent dysphonia from over-aggressive resection, incomplete excision needing a second operation. Your laryngologist walks you through the ones relevant to your case.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Vocal cord surgery
Phonosurgery for nodules, polyps, cysts and Reinke’s oedema.
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Laryngectomy
Partial or total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer.
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Laser tongue surgery
Laser resection for benign and malignant tongue lesions.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more