title: Peri- and postoperative complications after laser surgery of tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of the increasing use of laser surgery for tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract, there is also a discussion in peri- and postoperative complications of this kind of surgery. It was the aim of the present investigation, based on a great number of treated patients, to point out the complications of laser surgery and give a hint for possible dangers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Altogether, 1528 patients suffering from tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract were investigated. The peri- and postoperative complications were assumed in respect to localization and stage of tumor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The different evidence of complications depended on the localization and stage of tumor. It was pointed out that postoperative bleeding is the main complication after laser surgery of tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Overall, there were low complication rates especially after surgery of glottic carcinomas in early stages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peri- and postoperative complications after laser surgery of tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract are relatively seldom events. Because of the fact that postoperative bleeding is the most common complication, every clinic that performs laser surgery should have a clear concept of management for this complication. Also, strategies to avoid these complications should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Göttingen, Germany. mellies@med.uni-goettingen.de <mellies@med.uni-goettingen.de>
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellies
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*