CURRENT STATUS OF LASER-SURGERY OF BENIGN DISEASES IN THE AREA OF THESOFT PALATE

The amount of different clinically available lasers is increasing. The ENT surgeon can therefore use the best laser for the planned operatio n. As the resources of the hospital do not increase with the laser tec hnology, a decision has to be made whether in addition to the universa l CO2-laser other types must be acquired and which type is best. This paper presents the characteristics and typical tissue interactions of several lasers for the area of the soft palate. Typical operative exam ples are shown, e. g. partial resection of the soft palate in patients with ronchopathy and sleep apnoe syndrome, tonsillectomy, tonsillotom y and adenotomy in adults.