ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of office‐based blue laser therapy of vocal fold polyps on voice.MethodsThe medical records and video recordings of patients who underwent office‐based laser therapy in a tertiary referral center between February 2020 and May 2020, and May 2021 and October 2022 was conducted. Only patients with vocal fold polyps who had undergone office‐based blue laser therapy were included. The voice was evaluated before and after surgery using the Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10), GRB perceptual evaluation, acoustic analysis, and maximum phonation time.ResultsA total of 18 patients were included. The mean age of the study group was 52.5 ± 11.94 years. The male‐to‐female ratio was 2:1. Ten patients of the total group (53.6%) had hemorrhagic polyps and the most common site was the mid‐third of the vocal fold. All patients who presented for follow‐up (n = 15) had partial or complete regression of the lesion (4 and 11, respectively). There was a significant decrease in the mean score of VHI‐10 (17.6 ± 9.97 vs. 4.27 ± 5.76, p < 0.001) and in the means of grade of dysphonia (2.0 ± 0.73 to 0.5 ± 0.63, p < 0.001), roughness (1.88 ± 0.81 to 0.44 ± 0.51, p < 0.001) and breathiness (0.81 ± 0.75 to 0.13 ± 0.34 p < 0.001). There was also a marked decrease in the perturbation parameters (jitter and shimmer) and a significant increase in the MPT from 10.66 ± 4.22 s to 14.26 ± 6.26 s (p = 0.028).ConclusionOffice‐based blue laser therapy is an effective treatment modality in patients with vocal fold polyps.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 133:2712–2718, 2023

ObjectiveTo report patient tolerance in office‐based blue laser therapy for vocal fold lesions.MethodsA retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent office‐based blue laser therapy for lesions of the vocal folds between November 2021 and February 2023 was conducted. A total of 48 patients were included. Patient tolerance was assessed using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (IOWA). Patient tolerance was analyzed in relation to patients' demographic characteristics, disease type and severity, and procedure‐related factors.ResultsThe mean tolerance score of the study group was 1.51 ± 1.1. There was a significant difference in the mean tolerance score between smokers and non‐smokers (p = .038). Patients with vocal fold cyst (n = 3) had the highest mean tolerance score followed by patients with vocal fold polyps (n = 15). There was a nonsignificant difference in the mean tolerance score between benign lesions of the vocal folds and leukoplakia. Patients with lesions extending to more than half the vocal fold had less tolerance than those with lesions limited to less than half the vocal fold (1.91 vs. 1.27, p value .041). There was a moderate and significant negative correlation between vocal fold movement VAS, swallowing VAS, and tolerance score. The mean total duration of the procedures was 10.38 ± 4.8 min. There was a mild negative correlation between the duration of the procedure and tolerance.ConclusionOffice‐based blue laser therapy for vocal fold lesions is a well‐tolerated procedure. Patient should be instructed how to breathe quietly and avoid swallows to improve tolerance to surgery.Level of Evidence4.

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