Long-term results of surgical treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
CONCLUSIONS
The presented results add further support to the observation that laser microsurgery is the preferential surgical treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). A meticulous follow-up for early recognition of local recurrence and malignant transformation is recommended.


OBJECTIVE
Endoscopic microsurgery continues to be the treatment of choice for RRP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients treated surgically. We focused on demographic data, recurrence rates, and treatment-related complications.


METHODS
The charts of 194 patients treated at our institution between 1963 and 1993 were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
In all, 64 patients (33%) underwent a total of 137 operations using the CO2 laser; 130 patients (67%) underwent a total of 565 microlaryngeal operations by surgery with cold instruments. Five percent of the patients treated with conventional microlaryngeal surgery and none of the patients treated with laser surgery required tracheostomy (p<0.05). Postoperative glottic webs and scar formations were found in 6% of all patients after laser surgery and 20% after conventional surgery (p<0.05). The different methods of treatment did not affect the rate of recurrence (p=0.61) Malignant transformation or secondary airway carcinoma were observed in 4% of all patients.
Preuss
Simon Florian
SF
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Cologne, Josef Stelzmann Str. 9, 50924 Cologne, Germany. simon.preuss@uni-koeln.de
Klussmann
Jens Peter
JP
Jungehulsing
Markus
M
Eckel
Hans Edmund
HE
Guntinas-Lichius
Orlando
O
Damm
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome