Outcomes of CO 2 laser-assisted posterior cordectomy in bilateral vocal cord paralysis in 132 cases

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to assess the role of laser-assisted posterior cordectomy in the management of patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. We aimed an analysis of 132 consecutive patients treated by CO2 laser posterior cordectomy, aged 38 –91, 31% tracheotomized on admission. Cordectomy was performed under microlaryngoscopy using CO2 laser (Lumenis AcuPulse 40 CO2 laser, wavelength 10.6  μm, Lumenis Ltd., Yokneam, Israel). We looked at the number of laser glottic procedures necessary to achieve decannulation in tracheotomized patients and to achieve respiratory comfort in non-tracheotomized subjects and we evaluated the two groups for differences in patient characteristics. In tr acheotomized patients, we also assessed factors affecting the success of decannulation and we evaluated the impact of tracheotomy on patients’ lives. Decannulation was performed in 63% of tracheotomized patients. In terms of the number of procedures, 54% (14), 19% (5), and 27% (7) tracheotomized v s. 74% (61), 24% (20), and 2% (2) non-tracheotomized subjects underwent one, two, or three procedures, respectively. In the group of tracheotomized patients who were successfully decannulated, the number of multiple laser-assisted procedures was significantly higher than in the group of non-tracheot omized subjects with respiratory comfort after treatment (p = 0.04). Advanced age (>  66 years), comorbidities (diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)), multiple ...
Source: Lasers in Medical Science - Category: Laser Surgery Source Type: research