CO2-LASER SURGERY VERSUS CONVENTIONAL INS TRUMENTS FOR BENIGN LESIONSOF THE VOCAL FOLDS

Background: Microsurgical treatment of benign vocal fold lesions as no dules, polyps, and Reinke's edema is a routine intervention in phonosu rgery. After laser treatment of malignant neoplasms of the larynx has been accepted as a technical advance by mast laryngologists, use of th e laser has been also proposed for benign lesions. Patients: Forty-fou r patients with a benign lesion of the Vocal fold were randomized and operated conventionally or with the CO2-laser. Preoperatively, two day s, one month, and four months postoperatively, the patients were queri ed about Vocal problems and their subjective rating of their voice qua lity. Videolaryngostroboscopy was performed, the maximal phonation tim e was determined, and a phonetogram of the speaking and of the singing Voice was registered. A phonetically balanced text and sustained vowe ls were registered on a DAT recorder and used for subjective rating by experienced listeners and electroacoustic analysis. Results: All para meters showed worsening immediately postoperatively and an improvement later compared to the preoperative value. There was no statistical di fference between conventional treatment and CO2 laser treatment. Concl usions: Microsurgical treatment of benign lesions of the glottis eithe r by CO2 laser or by conventional surgery leeds to comparable results as seen in the final result.