Photoangiolytic Lasers for Treatment of Benign Laryngeal Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy of the 445‐nm blue laser to the 585‐nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) and 532‐nm potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser in the treatment of benign laryngeal lesions.Data SourcesCochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL.Review MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, databases were searched from inception through January 29, 2024, for studies reporting the use of photoangiolytic lasers for treatment of benign laryngeal lesions, including the 585‐nm PDL, 532‐nm KTP laser, and 445‐nm blue laser. Outcome measures included lesion resolution (%), mean differences (Δ) in Voice Handicap Index (VHI‐10), and summed dysphonia grade, roughness, and breathiness (GRB) scale.ResultsA total of 45 studies were included for meta‐analysis, consisting of 348 patients treated with PDL, 550 patients with KTP laser, and 338 patients with blue laser. Treatment with blue laser resulted in the greatest lesion resolution (94.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.2%–96.7%), followed by KTP laser (90.4%; 95% CI: 84.1%–95.2%), and PDL (86.9%; 95% CI: 62.9%–99.2%). VHI‐10 improved significantly in patients following treatment with blue laser (Δ13.3; 95% CI: 10.7–16.0; p < 0.0001), KTP laser (Δ10.3; 95% CI: 7.4–13.3; p < 0.0001), and PDL (Δ7.4; 95% CI: 4.8–10.1; p < 0.0001). GRB improved significantly in patients following treatment with blue laser (Δ4.1; 95% CI: 2.9–5.2; p < 0.0001), KTP laser (Δ3.0; 95% CI: 2.0–4.0; p < 0.0001), and PDL (Δ2.5; 95% CI: 0.8–4.2; p = 0.005).ConclusionsPhotoangiolytic lasers are effective in treating benign laryngeal lesions. Blue lasers are promising for laryngeal laser surgery. Laryngoscope, 2024