Clinical Feasibility Of CO₂ Laser Resection For Early Laryngeal Carcinoma And Precancerous Laryngeal Lesions

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and security of CO₂ laser surgery for early laryngeal carcinoma and precancerous laryngeal lesions.Methods: Follow up observation on 32 patients with early laryngeal carcinoma and 24 patients with precancerous laryngeal lesions treated by microendoscopic CO₂ laser operation from October 2002 to August 2006. Results: The rates of local control 3 years after primary surgery only for the glottic carcinoma were 100% for the Tis, 85.7% for the T1a, 71.4% for the T1b, and the probability for the T1 of supraglottic carcinoma was 60%. The rates of local control 3 years after any type of salvage surgery was 100%. Laryngeal preservation achieved 100% of the case. The rates of local control for precancerous laryngeal lesions was 87.5% once. Nasogastric tubes were not inserted. And all the patients had no tracheotomies. Their laryngeal functions are preserved.The operations cost less time and money comparing with conventional surgery. Conclusions:CO₂ laser surgery is effective and secure for early glottic, supraglottic carcinoma and precancerous laryngeal lesions.Comparing to the conventional surgery, the patients have less injury and better laryngeal function after taking CO₂ laser surgery.It is important to evaluate the depth and range of the tumor before surgery. Precancerous laryngeal lesions with moderate or severe dysplasia need more aggressive therapeutical approach.