The treatment of laryngeal stenosis using the CO2 laser

Conventional open treatment for laryngeal stenosis involves major surgery. Seventeen patients with various pathologies, who needed tracheostomy to relieve their laryngeal stenosis, have been assessed following endoscopic treatment with the CO2 laser. Following an initial direct laryngoscopy, 3 of the patients were considered to be unsuitable for laser treatment. The remaining 14 patients had the stenosed area excised until it was felt that the airway was sufficiently patent to allow closure of the tracheostomy. Eight of the patients were successfully decannulated. The CO2 laser may be used endoscopically to treat certain patients with laryngeal stenosis, who would otherwise require open operation or a permanent tracheostomy.