title: The use of the KTP laser in the management of hypertrophic tracheal mucosa and granulation tissue around Provox valve protheses.
abstract: The development of hypertrophic mucosa and granulation tissue around a tracheo-oesophageal fistula voice prosthesis is a commonly encountered problem occurring in 15-20 per cent of patients. Upsizing of the voice prosthesis as well as cautery (silver nitrate and electocautery) are used to counteract this problem to a varying degree of success. The use of the CO2 laser has been mentioned by some authors but details of the method and results have not been published. We report the successful use of the KTP laser for removing such granulations whilst retaining the valve and discuss the reasons why this method should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Edith Cavell Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, UK.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pfleiderer
mesh_terms: D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome