Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
To review the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of upper aerodigestive tract malignancies and to compare length of procedures using coblation with CO(2) laser surgery.


METHODS
A retrospective case-note review of 40 adult patients with endoscopically treated mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 20 having undergone resection using radiofrequency coblation and being case-matched to 20 treated with CO(2) laser.


RESULTS
Coblation proved to be an effective method for resection of selected head and neck malignancies. It allows for much faster resection times than the CO(2) laser (P = 0.017) especially in the oropharynx (P = 0.007), but the large probes currently available can cause problems in assessment of adequate resection margins.


CONCLUSIONS
Although current probe design limits the potential for resection of some tumors, radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive evolving technique for the endoscopic resection of selected upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.
Carney
A Simon
AS
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, Australia. simon@ent-surgery.com
Timms
Michael S
MS
Marnane
Connor N
CN
Krishnan
Suren
S
Rees
Guy
G
Mirza
Showkat
S
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology