Transoral CO(2) Laser Resection for Post-Radiation Arytenoid Edema

Arytenoid edema following radiation therapy of laryngeal cancer may persist and make careful inspection and evaluation of the larynx difficult. Moreover, it may have serious impacts on functions such as breathing, swallowing, speech and voice. Conservative management such as antibiotics and steroid may be attempted but may be ineffective in progressive and severe cases of edema. We present four cases of persistent postradiation arytenoid edema successfully treated with partial resection of the arytenoid mucosa using transoral CO(2) laser.