Co₂ laser in malignant lesions of the larynx

Abstract

The CO2 laser is being used in several otolaryngology departments around the world. Clinical experience has shown that it is a unique surgical tool in the management of benign and in some malignant lesions of the larynx. Until now, little has been written about its indications in patients with carcinomas of the larynx. The purpose of this paper is to present our experience with 58 patients with various premalignant and malignant lesions of the larynx in which the CO2 laser was employed as a curative or palliative debulking procedure.

Novel Device for Tissue Cooling during Endoscopic Laryngeal Laser Surgery: Thermal Damage Study in an Ex Vivo Calf Model

“…Cooling systems utilizing compressed air have been shown to reduce the extent of thermal trauma on the vocal folds during laser cutting in an ex vivo model. 1 However, these beneficial effects, and prior similar results reported in the dermatology literature, [2][3][4] were achieved after pre-cooling the tissue and using the cooling device at a high flow rate (more than 3 L/min).…”

Endoscopic laser treatment in pre-malignant and malignant vocal fold epithelial lesions

“…Final tumour control was 12/15 (80 per cent); eight patients (53 per cent) underwent total laryngectomy (one patient refused this treatment). Annyas et al (1984) described seven comparable cases. 11 Three (43 per cent) developed recurrence, local tumour control after laser surgery was 57 per cent.…”

“…Annyas et al (1984) described seven comparable cases. 11 Three (43 per cent) developed recurrence, local tumour control after laser surgery was 57 per cent. Final tumour control of seven out of seven (100 per cent) was achieved following 'salvage surgery'.…”

“…None of these patients required external ablative surgery and all voices were apparently intact, however objective studies have not been performed in this group. Annyas et al (1984) described 17 patients with dysplastic laryngeal lesions treated with CO 2 laser in whom local control was achieved in 15/17 (88 per cent) of all cases. 11 Two patients underwent radiation therapy because of developing a SCC.…”

“…Annyas et al (1984) described 17 patients with dysplastic laryngeal lesions treated with CO 2 laser in whom local control was achieved in 15/17 (88 per cent) of all cases. 11 Two patients underwent radiation therapy because of developing a SCC. The nal tumour control rate was 17/17 (100 per cent) and in 16 patients (94 per cent) of the vocal function was maintained.…”