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Published on: November 6, 2019
Coblation resection of paediatric laryngeal papilloma
1Department of ENT, University Hospital Lewisham NHS Trust, London, UK.
Insights
Coblation (radio-frequency ablation) effectively treated laryngeal papillomatosis in a pediatric patient. This minimally invasive technique offers a promising approach for managing this rare airway condition.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Laryngeal papillomatosis presents a significant challenge in pediatric airway management.
- Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) can cause hoarseness and airway obstruction.
Observation:
- A 32-month-old girl with congenital hoarseness was diagnosed with laryngeal papillomatosis.
- A large papillomatous lesion was identified in the anterior glottis via fiber-optic airway endoscopy.
Findings:
- Coblation (radio-frequency ablation) resection using an Evac 70Xtra wand successfully excised the laryngeal papilloma.
- The patient experienced an uneventful recovery with no recurrence noted at 3 and 18 months post-surgery.
Implications:
- Coblation presents a promising, minimally invasive surgical option for pediatric laryngeal papillomatosis.
- This technique minimizes damage to surrounding tissues and provides a bloodless surgical field, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Objective:
To demonstrate the successful treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis in a 32-month-old girl, using coblation (radio-frequency ablation) resection.
Case Report:
A 32-month-old girl was referred to the ENT out-patients clinic due to a hoarse cry and a very croaky voice since birth. Under general anaesthesia, fibre-optic airway endoscopy revealed a large papillomatous lesion involving the anterior glottis, which was reported as a laryngeal papilloma on histological analysis. This was later excised using an Evac 70Xtra wand. The patient made an uneventful post-operative recovery, and there were no signs of recurrence on repeated airway endoscopies at three and 18 months.
Conclusion:
Coblation (radio-frequency ablation) is a promising surgical technique for the treatment of paediatric laryngeal papillomatosis. The main advantages of this technique include limited damage to underlying tissues and a bloodless field.
