A Surgical Technique of Inner Capsule Vaporization With CO2 Laser for Vocal Fold Cysts

Traditional surgical methods for vocal cysts, such as enucleation and marsupialization, present inherent limitations, including the risk of cyst rupture and extensive tissue damage. Our aim was to introduce a new surgical approach for treating mucous retention cysts while ensuring the preservation of intact mucosa, thus promoting rapid recovery.

In this retrospective study, 15 patients diagnosed with mucous retention cysts underwent the novel surgery procedure, which involved incising the cyst capsule, vaporizing the inner capsule using a CO2 laser, and repositioning the mucosal tissue. Evaluations were conducted before and after the procedure to assess fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), maximum phonation time (MPT), maximum loudness phonation time (MLPT), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and GRBAS scale parameters.

The voice parameters of the patients were measured before and 6 months after surgery. The statistical analysis revealed significant improvement in parameters included HNR, jitter, shimmer, MPT, MLPT, VHI, and GRBAS postoperatively compared to their preoperative values (P < 0.05).

The surgical technique has shown promising results in enhancing the voice quality of patients with mucous retention cysts. This easily performed method allows for a rapid recovery with complete removal of the cyst's capsule, which is worth promoting.

Level 4.