ENDOSCOPIC DIODE-LASER WELDING OF MUCOSAL GRAFTS ON THE LARYNX - A NEW TECHNIQUE

Epithelial coverage of a laryngotracheal wound is an important factor in preventing stenosis, and endoscopic transplantation of a free mucos al graft without stents or sutures would be a significant therapeutic advance. In vitro and in vivo canine studies were performed to explore the feasibility of transplantation with a low-power diode laser (400 mW) enhanced by indocyanine green dye-doped albumin. The tensile stren gth of graft adherence in 10 cadaver larynges was strong (35.25+/-10.3 9 g). Survival studies in live canine models with a specially designed endoscopic instrument set showed excellent healing at 6, 14, and 28 d ays. Healing was documented with photography and by histologic examina tion. Successful endoscopic transplantation of a free mucosal graft sh ould improve results of treatment for laryngotracheal stenosis and lar yngeal reconstructive surgery.