Abstract
Juvenile laryngeal papilloma is a histologically benign epithelial tumor. The tumor is usually multiple, affects predominantly the glottis, and recurrs frequently following excision. The authors treated six patients with juvenile laryngeal papilloma in the past 15 years. Repeated surgical removals or vaporizations with the use of CO2 laser under microendoscopic control have been chiefly employed. In four of the six patients, more than five years have passed since the tumor disappeared. Interferon was given to one of the four and was thought to be effective. These four patients maintained a good phonatory function. Two patients have been still being treated, one of them with laser surgeries and the other with laser surgeries and interferon. All six patients did not undergo tracheostomy. Goals of treatment for this disease are maintenance of an adequate airway patency, preservation of voice and eradication of papillomas. Although many modalities of treatment have been reported in the literature, surgical removal with the use of CO2 laser combined with interferon administration seems to be the choice at present. Tracheostomy should be avoided because it may cause tumor dissemination to the tracheobronchial tree.
