[Papillomas & laryngeal papillomatosis. Treatment with CO₂ laser surgery. Our experience over 15 years].
OBJECTIVE
The study goal was to evaluate the efficacy of CO₂ laser surgery in the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis. We analysed several parameters such as gender, average age, relapse rate and viral serotype.


METHODS
A total of 26 diagnosed patients were included in this retrospective descriptive review. All of them were treated with CO₂ laser for laryngeal papillomas between 1995 and 2010.


RESULTS
This pathology was more prevalent in males (65.5%), with a slight predominance of a single larynx localisation over multiple lesion locations. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was detected in 75.8% of the cases; genotypes 6 and 11 prevailed. Of the patients in this review, 44.8% relapsed; the relapse average was 2-3 episodes per patient. A total of 20.7% of cases were in remission (no relapse in the last 2 months); 34.5%, clearing (no apparent relapse in the last 3 years); and 41.3% in the healing stage (without relapse in the last 5 years). There was only one case that showed malignancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Papillomatosis is characterised as a pathology with an unpredictable course and with a low probability of malignancy. CO₂ laser surgery has meant a revolution in symptomatic treatment, but there is presently no curative treatment.
Gutiérrez Castillo
Carmen
C
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital General Universitario (HGU), Alicante, España. mcgc_1981@hotmail.com
Monerris García
Enrique
E
Duran
María Dolores
MD
Sancho Mestre
Manuela
M
Gras
Juan Ramón
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010212:Papilloma / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult