HOLMIUM YAG-LASER SURGERY OF CARCINOMA OF THE NASOPHARYNX

A pulsed Holmium:YAG-laser (lambda = 2120 nm) was used for the first t ime clinically in tumour surgery. The primary lesion of a transitional cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx with metastatic disease in the neck (T2N2Mo) was laser resected in a photoablative manner with a minor th ermal component without danger of damage to the skull base. Neck disse ction was performed by conventional surgery. In comparison to laser ty pes depending primarily on the thermal effects of laser-tissue interac tion the coagulative necrosis zone following Holmium:YAG-laser surgery is small and there is no area of carbonisation. Macroscopic wound hea ling showed no complications and was completed after three weeks. At t his time radiation therapy was started. The results of the histologica l examination and the physical properties of this new infrared laser s ystem are discussed as well as the possibilities of flexible fiber Hol mium:YAG endoscopic laser tumour surgery in clinical use.