title: [CO2 laser tympanostomy without ventilation tubes].
abstract: A new tympanostomy procedure, by CO2 laser and without ventilation tubes, which is known as tympanolaserostomy or laser-assisted tympanostomy (LAT), was compared with traditional tympanostomy with tubes. Since 1990, we have operated on 168 ears using a CO2 laser fitted with an adapter to an operative microscope. Multiple low-power impacts (0.8-1.0 W in 0.1 s) focused on a minimal spot (0. 18 mm) were preferred. This intervention did not require anesthesia and produced circular orifices 2.0 to 2.5 mm in diameter that closed in 30-40 days. Compared with 168 ears operated by tympanostomy with tubes, laser tympanostomy produced similar rates of auditive recovery by one month and only 15% of recurrence by 6 months. Recurrences were treated with laser or with tubes if prolonged ventilation was planned. After 1 to 4 years, does not require anesthesia, tubes, or hospitalization, it reduces risk and complications, and consequently decreases costs.
authors.affiliation: Dpto. de Cirugía (ORL), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41011, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coma i Aragón
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Adrados
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide