Peri- and post-operative complications after carbon dioxide laser surgery of the larynx

To analyze the complications of transoral laser surgery (TLS) for larynx tumors in a single center institution, and to highlight its possible risks.

This is a retrospective study of the peri- and post-operative complications of 500 patients who underwent TLS from November 2001 to July 2008 in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.

The total rate of complications was 10.2%. The major complications accounted for 0.8%, including one ignition, one post-operative bleeding, one dyspnea, and one laryngeal web; and the minor ones were found in 47 of 500 patients (9.4%), including 30 patients with suspension laryngoscopy related complications. A higher incidence of complications was observed in patients with larynx carcinoma than those with benign/precancerous lesions (p=0.00).

Peri- and post-operative complications after TLS for benign larynx tumors are relatively rare events, but are relatively frequent for larynx cancers. Every surgeon who performs laser surgery should have a clear concept of management for these complications, and strategies to avoid these complications should be performed.