title: Laser ablation of recurrent laryngeal papillomas in children.
abstract: Papillomas are the most common laryngeal tumors in childhood, and their etiology is thought to be viral. Papillomatosis (ie, widespread, multiple papillomas) may involve a child's airway from the epiglottis to the bronchi. Hoarseness is an early sign of juvenile laryngeal papillomas (JLP), and airway obstruction is a later, life-threatening sign. The recurrence and spread of JLP is common. An otorhinolaryngologist may perform a tracheostomy on a child with JLP; however, this procedure is avoided if possible, because a tracheostomy predisposes the trachea to papilloma seeding. Laser ablation of papillomas through the use of rigid endoscopic equipment and a carbon dioxide laser is the mainstay of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, Ga, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*