title: Laser-assisted serial tonsillectomy.
abstract: Laser ablation of the palatine tonsils is a useful alternative to tonsillectomy in adults. Cryptic tonsillitis is a common problem causing recurrent infection, sore throat, and halitosis. Elimination and/or obliteration of surface pockets (crypts) of the palatine tonsils utilizing the CO2 laser was effective in 86 patients treated in the past 4 years. Ablation of the tonsil surface was performed in stages under local anesthesia in an office setting; CO2 laser energy delivered through the "SwiftLase" handpiece extension provided char-free, superficial layer ablation of tissue. "SwiftLase" is easily installed onto existing CO2 laser units and provides high-power densities by utilizing a focused laser beam in an extremely fast uniform scan over an extended area (up to 4 mm) within a fraction of a second. This method and results of its use are discussed.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors: Y P
authors: YP
authors: Krespi
authors: E H
authors: EH
authors: Ling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000628:therapy; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide