[CO2 laser versus conventional microlaryngoscopy in benign changes of the vocal cords]

Microsurgical treatment of benign vocal fold lesions as nodules, polyps, and Reinke's edema is a routine intervention in phonosurgery. After laser treatment of malignant neoplasms of the larynx has been accepted as a technical advance by most laryngologists, use of the laser has been also proposed for benign lesions.

Forty-four patients with a benign lesion of the vocal fold were randomized and operated conventionally or with the CO2-laser. Preoperatively, two days, one month, and four months postoperatively, the patients were queried about vocal problems and their subjective rating of their voice quality. Videolaryngostroboscopy was performed, the maximal phonation time was determined, and a phonetogram of the speaking and of the singing voice was registered. A phonetically balanced text and sustained vowels were registered on a DAT recorder and used for subjective rating by experienced listeners and electroacoustic analysis.

All parameters showed worsening immediately postoperatively and an improvement later compared to the preoperative value. There was no statistical difference between conventional treatment and CO2 laser treatment.

Microsurgical treatment of benign lesions of the glottis either by CO2 laser or by conventional surgery leeds to comparable results as seen in the final result.