[CO2-laser surgery in otorhinolaryngology]

16 years after its introduction the CO2 laser has a definitive place in the field of otolaryngologic surgery. The main advantages of CO2 laser surgery are virtually bloodless resection and absence of postoperative edema. The principal indications for the use of the CO2 laser are the treatment of early glottic carcinomas, the opening of the glottic slit in cases of advanced laryngeal carcinoma or bilateral vocal cord palsy and the removal of tracheal tumors. The excision of hemangiomas and of superficial lesions of the well vascularized oral and pharyngeal mucosa is considerably facilitated by the use of a CO2 laser.