title: KTP 532 nm laser for laryngeal lesions. a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 532 nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser for vocal fold surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our systematic review was conducted using the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guidelines. We applied the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine to assess the level of evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified seven observational studies of eight case series, which reported a total of 243 KTP procedures carried out for vocal fold lesions: two series each concerning ectasias and varices, early glottic cancer, and recurrent papillomatosis, and one series each for keratosis with dysplasia and various benign laryngeal pathologies. There was also a retrospective review of the use of KTP laser in 387 endoscopic laryngeal surgeries. No studies compared the use of KTP laser with that of other technologies. Thus, according to the Oxford criteria, there is only level 4 evidence of KTP's efficacy and safety. In selected cases, the KTP instrument can be used without general anesthesia in the clinic setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of KTP laser for laryngeal surgery is still relatively innovative. Several surgeons have found KTP laser to be the equivalent of, or superior to, the CO2 or pulsed dye lasers, and none have reported inferiority. However, there are currently no published data to support these conclusions. To establish equality/superiority, it is desirable that further evidence of efficacy and safety be obtained, either through randomized controlled trials or at least through well-documented prospective observational studies with reporting of all relevant input and outcome data.
authors.affiliation: Technology Assessment Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Xuanqian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kost
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGregor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult