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Updated: Dec 11, 2025

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
Fiber optic CO2-laser induced emphysema of the supraglottis
Lauren Arnold1, Christopher Kennel2, Eliav Gov-Ari2
1University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr MA204G, Columbia, MO, 65212, United States.
Abstract:
Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare but well-defined surgical complication. However, emphysema of the supraglottic mucosa has not been described in the literature. We present a case of a 2-year-old male who suffered supraglottic emphysema secondary to fiber optic CO2-laser use during laryngeal cleft repair. The patient required preemptive postoperative intubation; however, there were no long-lasting adverse effects at 6 and 12 weeks follow up. This report illustrates a rare CO2-laser complication and describes its sequela.
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