[Postoperative bleeding after laser surgery in head and neck tumors]

There are different reports in the literature how often postoperative hemorrhage occurs after laser resection of head-and-neck tumours. This retrospective study investigates the frequency of postoperative hemorrhage after laser surgery of head and neck tumours. Time and extent of bleeding have been considered as well as the localization of the primary tumour and possible general risk factors.

Between 1998 and 2001, microscopic laser surgery was performed in 223 patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic and glottic region and the hypopharynx. In case of ultrasonographic or palpable evidence of cervical lymphadenopathy surgery included subsequent neck dissection. The mean age of the patients was 59.2 year.

Postoperative bleeding occurred in 14 out of 223 patients (6 %). It was 9 % for oral carcinoma, patients 10 % for oropharyngeal carcinoma, 5 % for supraglottic carcinoma and none for glottic and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. 5 patients were treated conservatively, 4 patients were controlled bei cautery and ligation, 1 patient was treated with ligation of the lingual artery and in 2 cases ligation of the external carotid artery was performed. 1 patient had a fatal hemorrhage.

Laser-surgical resection of head and neck carcinomas does not lead to a higher incidence of bleeding complications compared to ordinary surgery.