585-nm pulsed dye laser treatment of glottal papillomatosis

Treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis of the glottis is often challenging. The surgeon and patient must cooperatively balance decisions regarding airway safety, effects of multiple general anesthesias, employment disturbance, and vocal dysfunction. A pilot study was done in 41 adult cases (23 patients; 78 vocal folds) without complication to evaluate the effectiveness of a 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL; 450-micros pulse width; fluence of 38 to 255 J/cm2; 1- to 2-mm spot size) in the treatment of this disorder. Thirty-seven of the 41 cases (90%) were bilateral disease. Twenty-six of the 41 cases (63%; including 20 cases with involvement of the anterior commissure) were treated by bilateral photocoagulation of the lesions' microcirculation without microflap resection of tissue. Clinical observation revealed that irradiated but unresected disease involuted without development of an anterior commissure web. In the initial 13 of the 41 cases (32%), PDL treatment was followed by cold instrument microflap resection. The PDL enhanced the epithelial excision by improving hemostasis and by creating an optimal dissection plane between the basement membrane and the underlying superficial lamina propria. The PDL at 585 nm was less effective in the management of exophytic lesions because of its limited depth of penetration (approximately 2 mm). In this initial trial, the PDL was a relatively safe and efficacious treatment for glottal recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Since the lesions involute without complete resection of the diseased epithelium, the anterior commissure can be treated to minimize the number of procedures. To study patterns of recurrence will require longer follow-up.     

Office-based 585 nm pulsed dye laser treatment for vocal polyps

Conclusions. Office-based 585 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) surgery appeared to be safe and effective. It can be considered as a treatment option for office-based vocal polyp removal. Objectives. A 585 nm PDL has been introduced to photocoagulate vascular lesions of the superficial layer of the lamina propria in the vocal fold to treat laryngeal pathology including laryngeal papillomas, granulomas, leukoplakia, and Reinke's edema. This study investigated the efficacy and feasibility of PDL surgery for the treatment of vocal polyps, and evaluated the associated moribidity. Subjects and methods. Among 270 patients who underwent office-based PDL surgery under local anesthesia at the Yeson Voice Center, 75 patients with vocal polyps were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 5.2 months (range 3–10 months). A retrospective analysis was performed on the postoperative perceptual and acoustic level and treatment outcome. Results. All patients who underwent PDL surgery had complete regression of their laryngeal lesion. The postoperative voice assessment including aerodynamic, acoustic, and perceptual parameters showed significant improvement. All patients tolerated the procedure without serious complications.     

Pulsed angiolytic laser treatment of ectasias and varices in singers

OBJECTIVES: Varices and ectasias in singers are typically the result of phonotraumatic shearing stresses and/or collision forces on the microcirculation within the superficial lamina propria. These lesions can be debilitating in performing vocalists because of the effect of recurrent hemorrhage and/or as a contributing factor to the morbidity of other mass lesions such as polyps, nodules, and cysts. Phonomicrosurgical treatment of performers is understandably approached with great trepidation, as the vocal liability of surgically disturbing the superficial lamina propria and epithelium must be balanced with the inherent detrimental vocal effect(s) of the lesion(s). Pulsed angiolytic lasers that emit radiation at high absorbance peaks of oxyhemoglobin were examined to determine whether they were an efficacious treatment approach for ectasias and varices based on these lasers' mechanisms of action and prior experience in phonomicrosurgery. METHODS: A prospective trial was done in 39 patients (40 procedures in 54 vocal folds) without complication to evaluate the effectiveness of a 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL; 25 cases) and a 532-nm pulsed KTP laser (15 cases) in a noncontact mode to treat 65 varices and 43 ectasias. Twenty-nine of 39 patients had varices and ectasias associated with other phonotraumatic mass lesions that required resection. Results: All patients have resumed full vocal activities, and no patient has had a subsequent hemorrhage or vocal deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Both the 585-nm PDL and the 532-nm pulsed KTP laser were found to be efficacious and relatively safe treatment modalities for vascular abnormalities of the vocal folds in singers. Noncontact selective photoangiolysis of the aberrant vessels prevented future bleeding without substantial photothermal trauma to the overlying epithelium and surrounding delicate superficial lamina propria, thereby allowing for optimal postoperative mucosal pliability and glottal sound production. However, the pulsed KTP laser was substantially easier to use because of its enhanced hemostasis due to its longer pulse width. Vessel wall rupture was commonplace during use of the 585-nm PDL, but rarely occurred during photoangiolysis with the 532-nm pulsed KTP laser.     

Vocal outcomes after laser resection of early-stage glottic cancer with adjuvant cryotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vocal outcomes of patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma undergoing laser resection with adjuvant cryoablative therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. Patients Twenty patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma. Intervention Treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma with endoscopic carbon dioxide laser resection in conjunction with cryoablation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease-free survival and subjective and objective measures of posttreatment voice quality, based on serial videolaryngostroboscopy. RESULTS: There was 1 local treatment failure, with an overall mean disease-free follow-up of 32.6 months (range, 3-93 months). Carbon dioxide laser resection and cryoablative therapy were associated with a significant improvement in subjective voice quality (P<.001). Long-term dysphonia was uniformly improved vis-à-vis the pretreatment condition, even among patients with the most advanced disease undergoing the widest resections. Posttreatment web formation was not noted among 4 patients with anterior commissure involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic laser laryngeal surgery performed in conjunction with cryotherapy for early-stage glottic carcinoma yielded excellent primary site control, while improving subjective and objective measures of voice quality. Combined laser surgery and cryotherapy is a possible alternative to radiotherapy for selected patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma who desire curative therapy, while optimizing vocal outcomes.     

Office-based 532-nm pulsed KTP laser treatment of glottal papillomatosis and dysplasia

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of glottal papillomatosis and dysplasia was mirror-guided and done in surgeons' offices in the 19th century. It migrated to the operating room in the 20th century to accommodate direct laryngoscopic surgery, which required assistants to administer anesthesia and procedural support. The primary treatment goals, which are disease regression and voice restoration and/or maintenance, are tempered by the morbidity of general anesthesia and potential treatment-induced vocal deterioration. To obviate general anesthesia, office-based laser laryngeal surgery was first done in 2001 with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL), because it employs a fiber delivery system and its energy is selectively absorbed by oxyhemoglobin. Since then, this new angiolytic laser treatment paradigm has become a mainstay of management for many surgeons; however, there are a number of shortcomings of the PDL. To further develop this concept and address the limitations of the PDL, we used a 532-nm pulsed potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser. METHODS: A prospective assessment was performed on 48 patients in 72 cases of recurrent glottal dysplasia (36) or papillomatosis (36). All individuals had previously undergone microlaryngoscopic management with histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: Two dysplasia patients did not tolerate the procedure. Of the treatable dysplasia cases, there was follow-up in 29 of 34. Disease regression was at least 75% in 18 of 29 cases (62%), 50% to 75% in 7 of 29 (24%), and 25% to 50% in the remaining 4 of 29 (14%). Papilloma patients returned for treatment when symptoms recurred, so disease regression could not be assessed accurately. Similar to data obtained with the PDL, these data confirmed that dysplastic mucosa could normalize without resection. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations revealed that the 532-nm pulsed KTP laser provided enhanced performance over the PDL laser in a number of ways. The ability to use smaller glass fibers precluded mechanical trauma to the channels of the flexible laryngoscopes and allowed for improved suctioning of secretions. Oxyhemoglobin absorbs energy better at 532 nm than at 585 nm, and the KTP laser can be delivered through a longer pulse width. These factors provide enhanced hemostasis and improved intralesional energy absorbance. Finally, unlike the PDL, the KTP laser is a solid-state laser and is not prone to mechanical failure.     

支撑喉镜下喉硅胶膜置入及声带缝合手术治疗喉蹼

目的探讨喉硅胶膜置入及声带黏膜缝合术在治疗喉蹼中的价值及预后转归。方法21例喉蹼患者，4例儿童，17例成人；其中既往有双侧声带手术史（声带任克水肿、声带小结、声带息肉、声带角化）8例，喉乳头状瘤手术史6例，喉部外伤史6例，先天性喉蹼1例。患者在全麻支撑喉镜下行喉蹼瘢痕松解后，15例成人行声带黏膜缝合及喉硅胶膜置入术；4例儿童及2例成人行单纯声带黏膜缝合术。结果15例喉硅胶膜置入患者3—4周后取出支撑的硅胶膜，除1例既往曾有喉裂开史，治疗后前联合处仍残留2—3mm粘连带外，其余14例患者声带前联合均获得良好三角形形态，发音明显改善，无呼吸困难。6例行单纯声带黏膜缝合患者呼吸及发音得到明显改善，2例成年患者前联合处残存2～3mm正常黏膜，术后声带即获得很好成形效果；4例患儿术后前联合残留2—3mm粘连。全部患者随诊6个月-3年，无瘢痕再生。结论喉硅胶膜置入及声带缝合手术治疗喉蹼，利于患者呼吸及发音功能的改善，避免颈外入路手术或气管切开及长期声门支撑，创伤小，并发症少。而声带黏膜单纯缝合手术还可以单独应用于粘连带相对较薄（小于5mm）、黏膜相对丰富的儿童及前联合残存正常黏膜的喉蹼患者。     

经口CO2激光治疗早期声门型喉癌术后嗓音分析

目的探讨经口CO2激光手术治疗早期声门型喉癌术后的嗓音情况。方法回顾分析2016年3月—2019年6月接受经口CO2激光手术治疗的48例声门型喉癌患者嗓音资料,根据手术是否切除前连合分为未切除前连组合（n=29）和切除前连合组（n=19）。分别于手术前和手术后6个月的嗓音稳定期对患者进行主观嗓音障碍指数量表简化中文版（VHI 13）评分、频闪喉镜检查及嗓音声学分析。结果经口CO2激光手术后6个月检查VHI 13生理评分及总分均较手术前明显减低;频闪喉镜检查未切除前连合组以声带黏膜波减弱或消失为主要表现,而切除前连合组术后出现前连合粘连和室带代偿性发音的比例明显升高;嗓音声学分析发现,与术前比较,激光手术后基频（F0）增加,基频微扰(jitter)和振幅微扰(shimmer)增大,最长发声时间(MPT)缩短,嗓音障碍严重指数（DSI）减低;未切除前连合组患者振幅微扰较切除前连合组更低,最长发生时间更长,DSI更高。结论声门型喉癌经口CO2激光手术后患者的主观嗓音质量较术前有一定程度的改善,是否切除前连合与术后声带形态、嗓音质量有密切关系。     

The use of the pulse dye laser in the treatment of vocal fold scar: a preliminary study

Objectives/Hypothesis: Dysphonia due to vocal fold scarring is a challenging problem to the laryngologist. Vocal fold scarring after radiation, phonosurgery, and laser cordectomy causes moderate to severe dysphonia. Surgical attempts at scar removal and voice restoration have limited success. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment has been shown to be effective in softening scarred skin by serial office treatments. The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the use of the PDL in the management of patients with established vocal fold scar. Study Design: This is an Institutional Review Board‐approved prospective study involving 11 patients. The causes of scarring were phonosurgery (n = 7), radiation (n = 2), and partial laryngectomy (n = 2). The subjects were evaluated pre‐ and postprocedure using the voice handicap index (VHI), laryngeal stroboscopy rating, voice recordings with acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, and self‐evaluation. Methods: The PDL was applied with the fiberoptic delivery system by three treatments at 1‐month intervals in the office setting. Each treatment endpoint was blanching of the treatment site. Results: There were three women and eight men in our study group. Ten of 11 patients subjectively improved by self‐rating. No patients were worse. VHI improved from 48.44 pretreatment to 35.55 at 6 months posttreatment (P < .05). The jitter at 6 months improved from 2.230% to 1.654% (P = NS) and shimmer improved from 3.679% to 3.196% (P = NS). The noise to harmonic ration improved from 0.1428 to 0.1316 (P = NS). The mean phonotory flow went from 0.177 to 0.254 L/S (P < .05).Three raters blinded to treatment sequence rated the posttreatment stroboscopy findings as better than pretreatment in a forced choice comparison, kappa score 0.903. Conclusion: PDL is a safe and potentially promising treatment for established vocal fold scar. Subjectively, no patients were worse and 10 of 11 patients reported improved voice. There was improvement in the VHI, acoustic measures of shimmer and jitter, and stroboscopy findings. Further study using this approach in a larger cohort seems to be warranted.     

In-office laryngeal surgery with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the current support in the literature for in-office surgery using the 585-nm pulsed dye laser. RECENT FINDINGS: There are substantial cost savings (US$5000) and patient comfort when in-office surgery is performed with the pulsed dye laser. The pulsed dye laser can be used in the office and operating room to activate aminolevulinic acid for photodynamic treatment of recalcitrant laryngeal keratosis, with long-term eradication of keratosis without the prolonged photosensitivity of previous photodynamic agents. The site of the cleavage plane created in the true vocal fold mucosa has now been elucidated. SUMMARY: The 585-nm pulsed dye laser allows safe, medically effective and cost-effective in-office surgery for a host of laryngeal lesions such as papillomatosis, keratosis, Reinke's edema, granulomas and other vascular lesions. The pulsed dye laser can activate aminolevulinic acid for laryngeal photodynamic therapy. Of the lasers currently in use it has the longest track record of safety and, to the satisfaction of many, continues in service at 23 centers around the world.     

Voice results in patients with T1a glottic cancer treated by radiotherapy or endoscopic measures

Early squamous cell carcinomas of the glottis can be treated effectively by means of surgery or external beam radiotherapy. The curability rate is about the same for both treatment modalities, but differing results have been reported regarding functional results. We selected 24 patients from a larger group of patients who had been treated for T1a glottic laryngeal cancer without the involvement of the anterior commissure. Fifteen patients were treated endoscopically and nine by radiotherapy. During a routine control videolaryngostroboscopy at an outpatient clinic, an objective and a subjective voice analysis were performed. The objective and subjective voice analyses showed no differences between the two treatment modalities. Videolaryngostroboscopy showed a significantly more pronounced glottic wave at the side that was originally affected by the tumour in the radiotherapy group. This difference disappeared when we looked at both vocal cords. Significant differences between the two treatment modalities were not found in any of the other parameters. Thus, this study shows no difference in the voice quality of patients treated by irradiation or by endoscopy. Therefore, the post-treatment voice quality is not a reason to favour radiotherapy for small T1a glottic squamous cell cancers without involvement of the anterior commissure.     

Anterior commissure microwebs associated with vocal nodules: Detection,prevalence, and significance

Vocal fold nodules are a common cause of dys-phonia generally attributed to vocal abuse. Anterior commissure microwebs have been reported as an incidental finding in surgical patients with nodules. In a series of 105 nodule patients evaluated at the University of Wisconsin Clinical Science Center voice laboratory (1987–1992), 11 microwebs were identified. Ten of these microweb patients were among the 20 nodule patients who did not respond to voice therapy and underwent microsurgery. In patients with nodules whose hoarseness is refractory to voice therapy, symptoms that occur early in life suggest the presence of occult vocal fold pathology. Microweb detection requires a high index of suspicion, observation during maximal vocal fold abduction, and clearance of secretions from the anterior commissure. Definitive identification is facilitated by gentle separation of the anterior vocal folds during direct microlaryn-goscopy. The presence of these tiny shelves of tissue might be coincidental, or they might represent another expression of the tissue response to traumatic factors known to produce vocal nodules. We found little difference in vocal function parameters between two similar groups of nodule patients, one with and one without associated microwebs. Further work is needed to determine the significance of microwebs.     

Laser therapy for T1 glottic carcinoma of the larynx

We treated 21 previously untreated T1 or tumor in situ squamous cell carcinomas of the true vocal cords by carbon dioxide laser excision. The mean follow-up was 42 months, with a range of 26 to 64 months. Recurrent vocal cord carcinomas, with an average interval to recurrence of 21 months developed in four patients. Three of the four recurrences involved the anterior portion of the true vocal cord, including the anterior commissure. One of the patients with recurrence was treated again with the laser, and the other three underwent radiotherapy. All four patients are alive and have retained their larynges. Laser excision of selected T1 and in situ carcinomas of the true vocal cords is a cost-effective and viable alternative to radiotherapy or more radical surgical therapy.     

Long-term effects of micronized Alloderm injection for unilateral vocal fold paralysis

OBJECTIVES: Micronized Alloderm (Cymetra) is a relatively new product used for vocal fold augmentation. Previous studies evaluating possible long-term effectiveness of this product have shown mixed results. The objective of this present study is to reassess possible long-term results of Cymetra injection laryngoplasty in patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis who received Cymetra injection laryngoplasty between March 2001 and March 2004. METHODS: Preoperative voice samples and videostroboscopic findings were compared with the most recently available postoperative data to assess efficacy of the procedure. A panel of voice experts analyzed both vocal and vibratory function in these samples. In addition, pre- and postoperative voice-related quality of life measures and patients' self-ratings of voice outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Twenty patients (7 male, 13 female; 14 with left-sided paralysis, 6 with right-sided paralysis) were identified in the study population. Cymetra injection was performed an average of 45.1 months after onset of vocal fold paralysis (range -216 months), and average follow-up postinjection was 11.2 (range -35) months. Comparing pre- and postoperative measures, voice quality (P < .0001), glottal closure (P < .0001), and degree of vocal fold bowing (P < .0001) were all improved by injection. Quality of life measures and patients' self-perceptions of vocal quality were also improved (P < .01). Fifteen (75%) patients showed long-lasting results. Eight patients showed improvement for more than 12 months after injection. CONCLUSION: Cymetra injection laryngoplasty offers improved vocal and vibratory function to patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis. The benefits of such medialization may be longer lasting than previously reported, and further long-term study is warranted.     

Prevention of anterior glottic stenosis after transoral microresection of glottic lesions involving the anterior commissure with mitomycin C

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical mitomycin C (MMC) in preventing anterior glottic stenosis (AGS) after transoral microresection of glottic lesions involving the anterior commissure (AC). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: Sixteen patients with benign or malignant glottic lesions involving the AC were studied. The lesions were removed by transoral microsurgery using a CO2 laser or cold microinstruments. In all patients, the anterior glottis was treated topically with 0.4 mg/mL MMC for 5 minutes at the end of surgery. The postoperative vocal folds and voice quality of patients were evaluated using video strobolaryngoscopy and voice recordings. RESULTS: Four patients had local recurrences after surgery and were treated with repeat microsurgery. Postoperatively, five patients (31%) developed acceptable small webs in the anterior glottis; one resolved with web lysis and a second with topical MMC. Postoperative vocal quality was affected mainly by the extent of vocal fold resection and the subsequent wide glottal gaps and extensive scarring, rather than by MMC use per se. Significant local side effects or atrophy of the vocal folds owing to MMC were not found. CONCLUSION: Topical MMC may be useful for preventing AGS and subsequent dysphonia after transoral microresection of glottic lesions involving the AC.     

Surgical treatment of patients with cancer of the larynx with lesions of the anterior commissure

Eighty two patients with glottic tumors extending to the anterior commissure underwent surgical treatment: 11 patients for cordectomy in its classic form, 11 patients for fronto-lateral cordectomy, 59 patients for extended cordectomy, and 1 patient for hemilaryngectomy according to Otan. Analysis of the postoperative clinical state of the patients suggests that surgery for vocal cord carcinoma involving the anterior commissure should not necessarily include tracheostomy and laryngeal tamponade.     

Pediatric vocal nodules: correlation with perceptual voice analysis

OBJECTIVE: To present the epidemiology and correlation with perceptual analysis of vocal nodules in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients seen in a tertiary care pediatric hospital's voice center from 1996 to 2003. Six hundred and forty-six patients were evaluated with videostroboscopic examinations and perceptual analysis of voice characteristics by speech pathologists. Appropriate treatment was based on the pathology identified. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-four patients (40%) with an average age of 7.7 years (range 0.1-19.3 years) were identified as having vocal nodules. Of these, 72% were male. Six patients (2%) were under the age of 7 months. Nodules were most commonly found in males, aged 3-10 years old. Evidence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease was found in one-quarter of patients; hyperfunction of the larynx was seen in three-fourths. Hyperfunction of the larynx correlates with the size of vocal nodules. Distortion of the vocal fold mucosal wave was not present. Perceptual analysis revealed positive correlation of the severity of hoarseness, breathiness, straining and aphonia with the size of vocal nodules. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology and correlation with perceptual voice analysis in pediatric patients with vocal nodules is presented. Hyperfunction of the larynx correlates with nodule size, while the presence of reflux disease does not. The severity of hoarseness, breathiness, straining and aphonia correlates with the size of vocal nodules.     

A simple procedure for surgical repair of vocal cord synechia

With a simple method performed since 1962 on six patients for the correction of anterior vocal cord synechia, a paladon granule reinforced with a thread is brought into the larynx from outside after severance of the synechia. With convalescent treatment of the cartilaginous frame, it lies in the anterior commissure for 6 weeks. After endoscopic removal, free glottis and good voice. Tracheotomy is not necessary.     

支撑喉镜下CO2激光及几丁糖局部涂布治疗喉狭窄

目的：探讨CO2激光辅以局部几丁糖涂布治疗各种类型喉狭窄的手术方法和疗效。方法：1999年1月-2002年1月在全麻支撑喉镜下共行CO2激光辅以局部几丁糖涂布治疗种类喉狭窄患者21例，其中先天性喉2例，不同原因前联合粘连狭窄13例，后联合璞形成3例，喉乳头状瘤多次手术后喉闭锁2例，甲状腺术后双侧声带外展麻痹行杓状软骨切除术后声门狭窄1例。结果：全部患者术后随访6-24个月，18例拔管保留发声功能；3例再狭窄，2例经再次手术后拔管，无误吸，发声较低沉嘶哑；另一例行喉裂开“T”形管扩张。结论：CO2激光手术 几丁糖局部涂布是一种治疗喉狭窄的有效方法，手术安全简便，可避免颈外进路手术，同时保留较好的发声功能。     

A simple procedure for surgical repair of vocal cord synechia

Summary With a simple method performed since 1962 on six patients for the correction of anterior vocal cord synechia, a paladon granule reinforced with a thread is brought into the larynx from outside after severance of the synechia. With convalescent treatment of the cartilaginous frame, it lies in the anterior commissure for 6 weeks. After endoscopie removal, free glottis and good voice. Tracheotomy is not necessary.