CO2 LASER versus Blade Scalpel Surgery in the Management of Nasopharyngeal Masses in Dogs

Abstract

We aimed to compare surgical time, bleeding level, patient pain level, healing period, scar tissue, relapse of the initial process and complications in patients with nasopharyngeal oncological masses undergoing surgery using a scalpel blade versus a CO2 surgical laser. This is a clinical prospective study comprising surgical work in the nasopharynx area. A sample of 12 inpatients dogs (N = 12) of both genders underwent a surgical excision of nasopharyngeal masses with a scalpel blade (GS n = 6) and CO2 surgical laser (GL n = 6). An Aesculigth CO2 surgical laser-Vetscalpel® model with a superpulse mode, 12 W of power, and a multi-focus pen was used. Statistically significant differences were registered for a p-value of < 0.05. Variations were noted between both groups (GS and GL) concerning surgery time (p = 0.038), first meal time (p = 0.013), pain level (p = 0.003), and healing time (p = 0.014), with the GL group presenting lower values. GL exhibited only one relapse case, with the elapsed time being more than double that of the GS group. Surgical and healing times were shorter in the GL group, and pain levels were lower, with the GL group also demonstrating less scar tissue than the GS group, along with a lower relapse rate. Nasopharynx surgical exposure with precision via the soft palate using the CO2 laser has facilitated successful treatment of regional masses without discomfort and complications, compared to conventional blade scalpel procedures.