Complications of Laser Surgery of Larynx

레이저를 이용한 후두 수술의 합병증

  • Park, Byung-Kuhn (Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Konyang University) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Joon (Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Chung, Phil-Sang (Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery College of Medicine, Dankook University)
  • 박병건 (건양대학교 의과대학 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 이상준 (단국대학교 의과대학 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 정필상 (단국대학교 의과대학 이비인후과학교실)
  • Received : 2011.06.02
  • Published : 2011.06.25

Abstract

Laser is a relatively recent addition to laryngeal surgery. Since their invention, laser use and applications have expanded rapidly. The use of lasers in surgery has offered a time- and cost-efficient alternative to cold surgical techniques and has been used in the treatment of numerous laryngeal pathologies, including stenoses, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, leukoplakia, nodules, malignant laryngeal disease, and polypoid degeneration (Reinke's edema). Despite the notable benefits, laser surgery is not without disadvantages. Laser heat can increase scarring and cause damage to adjacent tissue. With laser laryngeal microsurgery, there is potential for airway fire, endolaryngeal bleeding, perichondritis, chondritis, granuloma, surgical emphysema, laryngeal stenosis and web formation, postoperative edema and swallowing problem. Surgeons should be known about these complications and could manage properly.

Keywords