title: Carbon dioxide laser debulking for obstructing endolaryngeal carcinoma: a 10-year experience.
abstract: The results of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser debulking procedure for obstructing endolaryngeal carcinoma were analyzed in terms of efficiency, complications, secondary tracheotomy rate, and peristomal recurrence rate in a series of 50 patients consecutively managed at our department. The CO2 laser was used to reestablish a safe airway without resorting to tracheotomy and without performing a transoral resection. Our series included 42 patients in a pre-definitive treatment group (group 1) and 8 patients in a palliation group (group 2). Complications included death, pneumonia from inhalation, and cutaneous burns in 2 patients, 1 patient, and 1 patient, respectively. Thirty-two percent of patients required a repeat laser treatment to maintain the airway. Overall success rates of 92.8% and 87.5% were achieved in group 1 and group 2 patients, respectively. None of the variables under analysis could predict the success of the CO2 laser debulking procedure. The overall incidences for secondary tracheotomy were 4.7% and 0% in group 1 and group 2 patients, respectively. Peristomal recurrence was not encountered in patients managed with definitive therapy with curative intent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Laënnec Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris V, France.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laccourreye
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muscatello
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biacabe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laccourreye
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brasnu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate