Carbon dioxide laser-assisted phonosurgery for benign glottic lesions

The objectives of the study were (1) to evaluate glottic function following carbon dioxide laser-assisted phonosurgery of benign laryngeal disease, and (2) to assess postoperative glottic morphology and disease recurrence rates, using the study design of comparative prospective non-randomized case series of patients with benign glottic pathology treated by laser-assisted phonosurgery over 10 years. 235 consecutive patients had pre- and postoperative data collected by objective laryngeal examination, videostroboscopy recording of vocal fold mucosal wave movement, electroacoustic voice analysis (statistical analysis: Wilcoxon test) and perceptual voice evaluation. Comparing pre- and postoperative functional results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in all spectrographically analysed objective voice parameters (P < 0.001). Postoperative morphological analysis confirmed three recurrences of granuloma and one of Reinke's oedema. Carbon dioxide laser-assisted voice restoration for benign glottic disease is effective.