Laryngeal Surgery with CO₂ Laser under Topical Anesthesia

Abstract

A curved hand-piece CO₂ laser was developed to facilitate CO₂ laser surgery under topical anesthesia with fiberoptic monitoring. Laser irradiation experiments with the hand-piece demonstrated minimal damage to soft tissues. In a clinical trial, the CO₂ laser vaporized a vocal polyp and a vocal nodule. The wound assessment turned out well within a couple of weeks, and the mucosal vibration of vocal cords was preserved. Although the study is preliminary, the newly developed hand-piece proved to be useful in performing CO₂ laser surgery under topical anesthesia.