Abstract
CO2 and Nd: YAG lasers have been used in head and neck surgery for the past twenty years, KTP laser recently as well. Laser surgery in head and neck area was reviewed and the results of laser treatment were presented based on our experience. Laser surgery was performed for 204 cases of allergic rhinitis at our out-patient clinic. The therapy was effective in 91% of cases for nasal obstruction and 87% for nasal symptoms overall. Sixty-eight cases of glottic carcinoma were treated with laser surgery. The 5-year suvival rate was 100% for T1 and 80% for T2 cases. Glottis T1 can be treated by laser surgery alone. Laser surgery followed by external radiotherapy for glottis T2 improves the voice conservation rate. Seventeen patients with subglottic and/or tracheal stenosis were treated with laser surgery. Sixteen patients required emergency endotracheal laser surgery and satisfactory results were achieved in twelve cases. Six of seven patients with stenosis due to malignant tumor could be treated satisfactorily, although long term follow-up confirmed recurrence of tumor.
