Patient tolerance of in-office pulsed dye laser treatments to the upper aerodigestive tract.
BACKGROUND
Recent advances in technology have facilitated a movement toward unsedated in-office treatment of laryngeal, tracheal, and esophageal lesions. The objective of this study was to determine patient tolerance of in-office pulsed-dye laser (PDL) treatment of upper aerodigestive tract pathoses via the transnasal esophagoscope.


METHODS
Three hundred twenty-eight unsedated in-office PDL cases were performed at a university-based tertiary referral center in 131 patients. These procedures were performed for various upper aerodigestive pathoses, including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, chronic granulomas, and recurrent leukoplakia. Eighty-nine subjects completed a phone survey concerning their discomfort level after the PDL procedure. They were also asked specific questions about recovery time, pain medication, and preference of operating room versus in-office procedures.


RESULTS
The average comfort score was 7.4 (10 being minimal discomfort). Eighty-four percent did not use any pain medication; 87% stated that, if possible, they would prefer to undergo unsedated in-office procedures rather than surgeries under general anesthesia for further treatment of their upper aerodigestive tract pathosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Unsedated transnasal treatment of upper aerodigestive tract pathoses is readily accepted and well-tolerated by otolaryngology patients. Patients overwhelmingly prefer the in-office PDL over surgeries under general anesthesia.


METHODS
C-4.
Rees
Catherine J
CJ
Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-4060, USA.
Halum
Stacey L
SL
Wijewickrama
Rohan C
RC
Koufman
Jamie A
JA
Postma
Gregory N
GN
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000601:surgery*