Overcoming nasal discomfort--a novel method for office-based laser surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Laser Surgery
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Transnasal passage of laryngoscopes for office-based laser surgery can be challenging due to nasal anatomy and patient discomfort.
• Existing methods may require specialized equipment or general anesthesia, limiting accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel transoral technique for delivering laser fibers during office-based laser laryngeal surgery.
• To provide an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate transnasal procedures.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted.
• A transoral approach was used, involving threading a laser fiber through an Abraham cannula.
• Surgeons used a rigid angled telescope for visualization and delivered laser energy (PDL, KTP, or CO2) to glottic lesions.

Main Results:

• The transoral technique successfully treated glottic lesions in all cases.
• Treatment endpoints were comparable to the transnasal approach.
• The procedure was performed using instruments commonly available in otolaryngology offices.

Conclusions:

• The transoral technique is an attractive alternative to transnasal surgery for patients experiencing limitations.
• This method avoids the need for general anesthesia and specialized distal chip endoscopes.
• It can be effectively performed in an office setting with existing equipment.