Effect of local application of cidofovir on the control of recurrences in recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of local application of cidofovir in patients with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis (RLP) by measuring the interval between recurrences and the extent of disease at each recurrence. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The study group included 10 patients with RLP. Videolaryngoscopic analysis of previous RLP operations for each patient before starting cidofovir and the number and timing of pre-cidofovir recurrences of the disease provided data for a self-control group. The cidofovir was injected with a laryngeal needle during papilloma resection operations. To evaluate the changes and the extent of the disease, the authors developed a staging system based on anatomic topography. The extent of the disease and the intervals between recurrences were analyzed and statistically compared. RESULTS: The median interval between recurrences significantly increased from 102 days before cidofovir to 239 days after treatment. No local or systemic side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the hypothesis that cidofovir is an effective adjunct in treating recurrences of RLP. EBM rating: C-4.